Spiroacetal biosynthesis in fruit flies is complex: distinguishable origins of the same major spiroacetal released by different Bactrocera spp.

The major spiroacetal ((E,E)-1) of the pestiferous fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni and Bactrocera cucumis, is biosynthesised from fatty acids by distinguishable pathways which utilise modified beta-oxidation and C-H hydroxylation, generating a putative ketodiol which cyclises.