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Extracellular Composite Matrices in Arthropods pp 221–252Cite as

Insect Hydrocarbons: Biochemistry and Chemical Ecology

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Abstract

Cuticular hydrocarbons of insects often consist of complex mixtures of straight chain, unsaturated and methyl-branched components with 21 to 40+ carbons. They function to restrict water loss, to prevent a lethal rate of desiccation and serve in chemical communication in many species. This chapter describes the chemistry and chemical ecology of insect hydrocarbons with an emphasis on their role as close range or contact pheromones. Hydrocarbons are formed in oenocytes and their biosynthetic pathways are described. Recent work has begun to take advantage of the tools of molecular biology to better understand hydrocarbon formation and this information is summarized. The various methods by which insects utilize hydrocarbons as inter- and intraspecific chemical signals are also described.

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  1. Departments of Entomology and Forestry & Natural Resources, Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Matthew D. Ginzel

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV, 89557-0300, USA

    Gary J. Blomquist

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  1. Department of Entomology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel

    Ephraim Cohen

  2. Genetik der Tiere, Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Bernard Moussian

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Ginzel, M.D., Blomquist, G.J. (2016). Insect Hydrocarbons: Biochemistry and Chemical Ecology. In: Cohen, E., Moussian, B. (eds) Extracellular Composite Matrices in Arthropods. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40740-1_7

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