Abstract
6,10,14-Trimethylpentadecan-2-one (Hexahydrofarnesyl acetone; HHA) previously has been found to be a major component in tibial fragrances of male orchid bees, Euglossa spp. HHA is a chiral molecule with four possible stereoisomers, (6R, 10R)-, (6R, 10S)-, (6S, 10R)-, and (6S, 10S)-6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one. In the present study, we characterized HHA extracted from Euglossa as the pure enantiomer (6R, 10R)-6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one. During bioassays in Mexico and Panama, the synthetic RR-isomer attracted males of six species of orchid bees, including three that were known to contain HHA in their tibial fragrances. Possible sources of HHA for wild bees are flowers of euglossophilous orchids and aroids. With a molecular weight of 268, HHA is the largest natural molecule known to attract male orchid bees in pure form. Its attractiveness to males suggests that low-volatility compounds have a function in male signals, e.g., serve as a “base note” in complex odor bouquets.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Falko Fritzsch and Carlos Hernandez Velez for help in the field. TE is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (EL 249/4 and 6) and EH, JB, EW and JA are grateful for the financial support from EU (Objective 2 the region of South Forest Counties) and Länsstyrelsen i Västernorrlands län.
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Eltz, T., Hedenström, E., Bång, J. et al. (6R, 10R)-6,10,14-Trimethylpentadecan-2-one, a Dominant and Behaviorally Active Component in Male Orchid Bee Fragrances. J Chem Ecol 36, 1322–1326 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-010-9873-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-010-9873-4