CHEMICAL BASIS OF COURTSHIP IN A BEETLE (NEOPYROCHROA-FLABELLATA) - CANTHARIDIN AS PRECOPULATORY ENTICING AGENT

Male Ncopyrochroa flabellata have a natural affinity for cantharidin ( Spanish fly). They are attracted to cantharidin baits in the field and feed on the compound if it is offered to them in the laboratory. Male s that ingest cantharidin secrete cantharidin from a cephalic gland, F emales sample secretion from this gland during courtship and mate pref erentially with males that had fed on cantharidin. Cantharidin-unfed m ales fan be rendered acceptable to females if cantharidin is added to their cephalic gland.