The Common Scents of Animal Behavior How the lower orders behave and respond to us and to each other appears t o be linked t o a variety of different chemical m e s s e n g e r s 4 e d pheromones. The pheromones can act as sex lures, t o dispel hostile attacks or, in the case of the spotted alfalfa aphid, as a defense alarm t o other aphids. The substance, called germacrene A, was isolated from the aphids by. ae. rieultural researchers in Geneva, New ~ o r kWooster, , Ohio, and ~ u c s o iArizona. , They report in Science (6 May, 1977) that the substance is secreted as fluid droplets when an aphid is attacked by a predator. When other aphids in the area sense the presence of the alarm, they walk, fall or leap away from the plant they happen to be infesting and presumably from the marauding predator. In another issue of Science (28 February, 1977)Dm. Bert Hblldobler and Caryl P. Haskins report that the sexual behavior of a family of Australian ants (Rhytidoponera metallico) is motivated by an as yet unidentified substance which female ants liberate when they are ready to mate. The chemical calling signal is a necessary part of the ant's reproductive cycle, since the females are wingless and need some method to attract the attention of winged males. The biologists note that the substance is such a powerful sex lure that if it is sprayed - . on male ants, other males will attempt t o engage .. in the mating process. As for the stinkoot turtl-the source of its ~owerfulodor is a familvof chemicals called ohenvlalkanoic acids. As reported . . bv another ,. eroun, o i scientists (Science. 15 ~ u n e 1977). . . . two of the s;bstances (~henvlaeetic .. ,~ acid and 3-nhenvlordoionie acid, are mainly rrspons~hlefor the powerful"keephwoy"odor emitred hy the turllrwiththemure refinedscirnrifir name of Jtrrnothvrusodorntus. Only a d r o p o r twoof thecuhstanceexudrd l,y sperialiwdglands isenmyh rodiscouragr nn at. tarkrr, say the scientists who "milked" some of the mnrerial from the animals bv "tapping their shells and prodd~nr:their bodies.''
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From, "What's Happening in ~hemi'stry",compiled by Roy Awry and Dorothy Smith of the American Chemical Society Public Relations and News Seruice Staffs.
