Regulation of sex pheromone production in the maleNauphoeta cinerea cockroach: Role of brain extracts, corpora allata?(CA), and juvenile hormone (JH)

Abstract

The neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying pheromone regulation in cockroaches are unclear because of a lack of physiological and chemical data. The present report describes experiments designed to determine the role of the brain, corpora allata, and juvenile hormone III in the production of sex pheromone by male Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches. The levels of two sex pheromone components, i.e., acetoin and 2-methylthiazolidine, were measured by gas chromatographic analysis of sternal gland extracts obtained from individual males. Allatectomy or decapitation performed up to 2 to 3 days after imaginal molt caused a decrease in sex phermone levels. Conversely decapitation or allatectomy performed after 3 to 4 days post-eclosion had almost no effect on sex pheromone levels. Injection of JHIII into allatectomized and decapitated males stimulated pheromone production while injection of brain extract had no effect. These results indicate that JHIII is involved in the differentiation of sternal glands and that regulation via pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) does not occur in N. Cinerea cockroaches. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 40:165–172, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.