The contact sex pheromone of <i>Pardosa lapidicina</i> Emerton (Araneida: Lycosidae)

Abstract

Laboratory bioassays of male courtship behavior in Pardosa lapidicina indicate that the contact sex pheromone is associated with the silk dragline deposited on the substratum by mature females. The pheromone is quickly inactivated by water. It appears to represent a facultative sexual stimulus, and can be by-passed if the male first touches the female.