The Sex Pheromone of the Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi

摘要

Current biochemical research on spiders focuses on the two characteristic traits common to spiders, namely silk and toxins. Nevertheless, chemical communication over longer distances is also vital: potential mates that are solitary and predatory need to find members of the same species (conspecifics) over large distances during the reproductive season. The production of a volatile signal that helps to attract mating partners is vital, but to date only few of the respective pheromones are known (see the following Communication). Herein we report the identification of the first pheromone from an orb weaver (Araneidae), namely the wasp spider, Argiope bruennichi, and show for the first time that a spider pheromone can be used to trap spiders in the field.