Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Volatile Sex Pheromone Extraction and Chemoattraction Assay in Caenorhabditis elegans

Volatile Sex Pheromone Extraction and Chemoattraction Assay in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: August 9, 2024

Pheromone production in bark beetles.

Gary J Blomquist¹, Rubi Figueroa-Teran, Mory Aw

¹Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA. garyb@cabnr.unr.edu

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

|August 24, 2010

Summary

Bark beetles biosynthesize aggregation pheromones de novo, shifting from the old paradigm of host tree derivation. Research reveals specific enzymes and complex gene regulation in pheromone production.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Correlation between microbial source tracking markers and pathogens at beaches and estuaries in southern California.

The Science of the total environment·2026

Same author

A Deep Dive into the Molecular and Immune Landscape of Undifferentiated Carcinomas with Osteoclast-like Giant Cells.

Cells·2026

Same author

Linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic body radiotherapy via online dynamic tracking.

Journal of radiosurgery and SBRT·2026

Same author

Proton-based stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Journal of radiosurgery and SBRT·2026

Same author

Postoperative Immobilization After Foveal Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies.

The Journal of hand surgery·2026

Same author

Potential role of bile acids as a microbiome-derived mechanism in synovitis of knee osteoarthritis synovitis.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage·2026

Area of Science:

Chemical Ecology
Insect Biochemistry
Genomics

Background:

Bark beetle aggregation pheromones were initially thought to be derived from host tree monoterpenes.
Early research identified components like ipsdienol, ipsenol, and verbenol, often assuming simple host precursor origins.
A paradigm shift occurred in the 1990s with accumulating evidence for de novo biosynthesis.

Observation:

Most bark beetle monoterpenoid aggregation pheromones are now recognized as biosynthesized de novo.
Pheromones are released from frass, indicating production in tissues like the midgut (ipsdienol, ipsenol, frontalin) and fat body (exo-brevicomin, verbenol, verbenone, verbenene).
Studies in Ips pini identified key enzymes: a bifunctional geranyl diphosphate synthase/myrcene synthase, a cytochrome P450 for myrcene hydroxylation, and an oxidoreductase for stereochemical control.

More Related Videos

Technique for Studying Arthropod and Microbial Communities within Tree Tissues

Technique for Studying Arthropod and Microbial Communities within Tree Tissues

Published on: November 16, 2014

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Published on: March 29, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Volatile Sex Pheromone Extraction and Chemoattraction Assay in Caenorhabditis elegans

Volatile Sex Pheromone Extraction and Chemoattraction Assay in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: August 9, 2024

Technique for Studying Arthropod and Microbial Communities within Tree Tissues

Technique for Studying Arthropod and Microbial Communities within Tree Tissues

Published on: November 16, 2014

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Published on: March 29, 2011

Findings:

Biochemical and genomic studies in Ips pini elucidated enzymes converting mevalonate pathway intermediates to pheromones.
Gene regulation is complex and species-specific; male Ips pini show higher basal mevalonate pathway gene expression, inducible by feeding.
Juvenile hormone III (JH III) induces pheromone production in some species (I. duplicatus, I. pini) without feeding, but not in others (I. paraconfusus, I. confusus).

Implications:

Understanding de novo pheromone biosynthesis provides insights into insect chemical communication and evolution.
Detailed knowledge of enzymes and gene regulation can inform pest management strategies targeting bark beetle populations.
Further research, including functional genomics in Dendroctonus ponderosae, is crucial for a comprehensive understanding across bark beetle genera.