Mate attraction

Pearl C., Cervantes M., Chan M., Ho U., et al. (2000). Evidence for a mate-attracting chemosignal in the dwarf African clawed frog Hymenochirus spp. Horm Behav 38, 67-74. 

In recent years, there is only one example of a pheromone in solitary Apocrita being chemically identified. Chiral GC and chiral GC-EAD provided identification of (3S)-(+)-linalool 8 >99.9% e.e. as a mandibular gland mate attractant in both males and females of Colletes cunicularius. Male contact with a scented source could be initiated with 5 ng per lure (3S)-(+)-linalool, which may act as both a sex attractant and a food attractant [35]. 

Walsh, C.J., Wilhelm, S.I., Cameron-Macmillan, M.L. and Storey, A.E. (2006) Extra-pair copulations in common murres I a mate attraction strategy Behaviour 143, 1241-1262. 

The preceding falls far short of conveying a true impression of the chemical skills of arthropods. Excluded from our discussion are the diverse signaling agents that mediate such vital insectan functions as food location, mate attraction, social bonding, and alarm communication. Other contributors to this colloquium address some of these topics. While... 

Although this pheromone has been synthesized and was available for bioassays, various tests produced ambiguous and contradictory results (Slessor et al., 1998). It was only four decades later that its function was finally proven (Hoover et al., 2003). This indicates how difficult it is in general to prove such an inhibitory effect of these pheromones. The successful bioassay with this pheromone is also a special case. The QMP is originally used for mate attraction and is thus very specific to honeybees. It may apply to bumblebees (Roseler et al, 1981) but certainly cannot have a general function in social insects. 

Variations in sex-specific population densities, e.g., due to extraction by fisheries, may also affect the dynamics of chemical communication in crustaceans (e.g., van Son and Thiel 2007). At low population densities, members from the mate-attracting sex may have to invest more in chemical advertisement than at high densities. On the other hand, individuals from the mate-searching sex that are efficient and rapid in responding to chemical signals may be at an advantage at low population densities. 

Greenlees, I.A. and W.C. McGrewl994 Sex and age differences in preferences and tactics of mate attraction Analysis of published advertisements. Ethology and Sociobiology 15 59—12. 

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