FACTORS AFFECTING PHEROMONE PRODUCTION IN BEETLES

Pheromone production and/or release by beetles is coordinated with a v ariety of behavioral, physiological, and environmental factors. To dat e, two basic mechanisms for the regulation of pheromone biosynthesis i n beetles have been proposed. Pheromone biosynthesis may simply be dep endent on the availability of biosynthetic precursors. Alternatively, certain stimuli or events may trigger pheromone biosynthesis via juven ile hormone (JH) action. JH may either act directly at the site of phe romone biosynthesis to enhance pheromone production or may act indirec tly, through a brain hormone (which might be related to the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide) or through effects on antennal s ensory response. Knowledge of the regulation of the initiation and ter mination of pheromone biosynthesis is reviewed. Mechanisms by wh ich p heromone stereochemistry is controlled are also discussed. This is an important aspect of pheromone production in Coleoptera, since slight c hanges in the stereochemistry can completely alter the activity of the molecule. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.