Predominant accumulation of a 3-hydroxy-γ-decalactone in the male rectal gland complex of the Japanese orange fly, Bactrocera tsuneonis.

The Japanese orange fly, Bactrocera tsuneonis, infests various citrus crops. While male pheromone components accumulated in the rectal glands are well characterized for Bactrocera, but information regarding the chemical factors involved in the life cycles of B. tsuneonis remains scarce. Herein, several volatile chemicals including a γ-decalactone, (3R,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-decanolide [(3R,4R)-HD], were identified as major components, along with acetamide and spiroketals as minor components in the rectal gland complexes of male B. tsuneonis flies. The lactone (3R,4R)-HD was also identified in female rectal gland complexes. The amount of this compound in mature males was significantly higher than those observed in females and immature males. The lactone (3R,4R)-HD was detected in flies fed with sucrose only, indicating that this lactone is not derived from dietary sources during adulthood, but biosynthesized in vivo. The predominant accumulation of (3R,4R)-HD in mature males also suggests a possible role in reproductive behavior.