4-HYDROXY-5-METHYL-3(2H)-FURANONE AND 4-HYDROXY-2,5-DIMETHYL-3(2H)-FURANONE, 2 COMPONENTS OF THE MALE SEX-PHEROMONE OF EURYCOTIS-FLORIDANA (WALKER) (INSECTA, BLATTIDAE, POLYZOSTERIINAE)

In Eurycotis floridana, male calling behavior is associated with the s ex pheromone released by the anterior part of tergites 2, 7, and 8. Gl andular extracts of tergite 7 revealed a characteristic odor of carame l which is attractive at a distance for the females. We identified the two compounds responsible for this odor, 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-fur anone and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone. These compounds are k nown to be very important as flavor components of foods, but this is t he first time that they have been identified as natural insect product s. Various amounts of the identified compounds were tested, and their biological function is discussed.