T. Eisner et al., CHEMICAL BASIS OF COURTSHIP IN A BEETLE (NEOPYROCHROA-FLABELLATA) - CANTHARIDIN AS PRECOPULATORY ENTICING AGENT, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United Statesof America, 93(13), 1996, pp. 6494-6498
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.