Eurycotis

Abstract: In Eurycotis floridana, male calling behavior is associated with the sex pheromone released by the anterior part of tergites. 2, 7, and 8. Glandular extracts of tergite 7 revealed a characteristic odor of caramel which is attractive at a distance for the females. We identified the two compounds responsible for this odor, 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone. These compounds are known to be very important as flavor components of foods, but this is the first time that they have been. identified as natural insect products. Various amounts of the identified compounds were tested, and their biological function is discussed.

Abstract: Adults of this cockroach, when disturbed, eject a defensive fluid consisting of 2-hexenal. This chemical defense mechanism is similar in every major respect to that already known from another cockroach, Eurycotis floridana (Walker).

Abstract: Feeding preferences of individual American cockroaches (Periplaneta Americana (L.)), smokybrown cockroaches ( P. fuliginosa (Serville)), brownbanded cockroaches ( Supella longipalpa (F.)), and Eurycotis floridana (Walker) were examined in the laboratory to test the hypothesis that dry distiller’s grain is as attractive as dry cat chow, laboratory rat chow, or distiller’s grain with uric acid. Except for E. floridana , females typically spent more time on baits than did males. Only the brownbanded cockroach showed a significant preference for cat chow. Data were variable for the other three species, but showed that adults readily accept dry distiller’s grain. We conclude that this bait is preferable to the others for field studies of cockroach population dynamics.