Calling behaviour of female Periplaneta americana: Behavioural analysis and identification of the pheromone source

The site for the production of Periplanone B, one of the components of the female sex pheromone of Periplaneta americana, was localized in glands situated in the genital atrium, and we have called these structures atrial glands. While emitting the sex pheromone, females adopt a characteristic calling posture during which time the atrial glands are exposed. Behavioural assays of males utilizing pentane extracts of various female body parts revealed that atrial gland extracts are highly attractive, and induced more wing-raising behaviour, than any other female body part. GC-MS analyses support these results by revealing that Periplanone B is only present in the atrial glands. We estimate that about 30 ng of Periplanone B are present in the glands.