Byers, J.A., Wood, D.L., Browne, L.E., Fish, R.H., Piatek,
B., & Hendry, L.B. 1979. Relationship between a host
plant compound, myrcene and pheromone production in the
bark beetle, Ips paraconfusus. Journal of Insect
Physiology 25:477-482.
Intestine of Ips paraconfusus male (female looks identical)
Abstract--
The pheromonal components, ipsenol and ipsdienol were found in
increasing quantities in hindguts of only the male sex of I.paraconfusus following exposure of both sexes to a series of
increasing concentrations of myrcene (from Pinus ponderosa) vapor.
Hindguts of female and male beetles contained similar quantities of
myrcene and other volatile compounds associated with myrcene
exposure. Unexposed beetles of both sexes did not contain detectable
amounts of any volatile compound. This indicates that myrcene induces
or is a precursor for sex-specific pheromone biosynthesis.
Chemical Ecology