Sex Pheromone Localization in Females of Six Trogoderma Species (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)1

Abstract

Hexane extracts of 7th abdominal sternites (5th, or last, visible sternites) from Trogoderma glabrum (Herbst), T. inclusum LeConte, and T. variabile Ballion females were more active than extracts of females with 7th abdominal sternites removed. An enlarged, glandular epithelium lines the inner surface of the 7th abdominal sternite of female T. glabrum, T. inclusum, T. variabile, T. simplex Jayne, T. grassmani Beal, and T. sternale Jayne. The epithelium is composed of at least 2 cell types; squamous, basophilic cells in contact with the cuticle, and a proximal layer of larger, secretory cells. Based on preliminary observations of ultrastructure, possible pheromone release mechanisms are discussed.