Cuticular hydrocarbons of the house fly, Musca domestica

Abstract

The cuticular hydrocarbons, some of which serve as components of the sex pheromone, of the house fly Musca domestica L. were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The types of components identified in both sexes were n-alkanes, (Z)-9-alkenes, terminally (2-, 3- and 4-) and internally branched monomethylalkanes, and 3, x-, 4, x- and internally branched dimethylalkanes. The methylalkanes were minor components in males, whereas they were major components in females. (Z)-9-Tricosene, (Z)-9-hentriacontene and (Z)-9-tritriacontene were identified in females but not in males. In the male, 2- and 3-methyloctacosanes together with 2- and 3-methyltriacontanes were identified, whereas in the female the corresponding 4- and 3-methyl isomers were identified. © 1981.