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Science 22 May 1987:
Vol. 236. no. 4804, pp. 964 - 967
DOI: 10.1126/science.236.4804.964
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Articles

Chemical Mimicry: Bolas Spiders Emit Components of Moth Prey Species Sex Pheromones

MARK K. STOWE 1, JAMES H. TUMLINSON 2, and ROBERT R. HEATH 2

1 Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138.
2 Heath, Insect Attractants Behavior and Basic Biology Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, FL 32604.

Field studies have indicated that bolas spiders attract male moth prey, apparently by mimicking the odor of female moth sex pheromones. Three moth sex pheromone compounds, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-tetradecenal, and (Z)-11-hexadecenal, were identified in volatile substances emitted by hunting adult female Mastophora cornigera spiders. These compounds are components of pheromone blends that attract some of this spider's moth prey species.

Submitted on November 25, 1986
Accepted on March 17, 1987


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