Bioassay evidence for a sex attractant pheromone in the large carpenter bee, <i>Xylocopa varipuncta</i> (Anthophoridae: Hymenoptera)

The hypothesis that the male gland produces a pheromone which functions as a long-range sex attractant supports the hypothesis that male X. varipuncta are involved in long- range mate attraction.

Abstract

A field bioassay was conducted to test i˜hethercompoundsp roduced in the thoracic gland of male X. varipuncta are involved in long‐range mate attraction. Filter paper impregnated with the two most abundant compounds of the male gland was placed in sites comparable to those used by territorial males during the time of day when mating activity occurs. Females visited these filter paper ‘lures’ as often as they visited unmanipulated males in the study area. Males with the chemical mixture added to their territories did not receive more matings than males at territories where we had not added the chemical mixture. These findings and other studies, summarized herein, support the hypothesis that the male gland produces a pheromone which functions as a long‐range sex attractant.