期刊名称：Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
印刷版ISSN：0027-8424
电子版ISSN：1091-6490
出版年度：1991
卷号：88
期号：20
页码：9224-9227
DOI：10.1073/pnas.88.20.9224
语种：English
出版社：The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
摘要：Male Utetheisa ornatrix produce a courtship pheromone (hydroxydanaidal) that they derive from systemic pyrrolizidine alkaloid of plant origin. Pheromone titers in males correlate with systemic levels of alkaloid and with the quantity of alkaloid transmitted to the female at mating. The male's emission of pheromone during courtship may therefore communicate his possession of protective alkaloids and his capacity to provision the female. By mating preferentially with males endowed with hydroxydanaidal, females may ensure their acquisition of an alkaloidal gift for use in egg defense.
