Hydrocarbon sex pheromone in tiger moths (Arctiidae)

Abstract

2-Methylheptadecane is a sex pheromone compound in many sibling species of the Holomelina aurantiaca complex, in Holomelina laeta, and in Pyrrharctia isabella, which are all arctiids. Habitat preference, temporal distribution , and differing diurnal cycles help effect reproductive isolation among the species, but secondary sex pheromone chemicals are also suggested by the field studies.