Iridomyrmecin Explained

Iridomyrmecin is a defensive chemical, classified as an iridoid, isolated from ants of the genus Iridomyrmex.^[1] It has also evolved into a sex pheromone in wasps such as Leptopilina,^[2] with host species using the smell of iridomyrmecin as a way of detecting the presence of the parasitoid wasps.^[3] Iridomyrmecin is also found in a variety of plants including Actinidia polygama.^[4]

See also

• Cat pheromone#Cat attractants for other chemicals that have behavioural effects on cats

Notes and References

1. The chemistry of ants. I. Terpenoid constituents of some Australian Iridomyrmex species . Cavill GW, Ford DL, Locksley HD . Australian Journal of Chemistry . 1956 . 9 . 288–293 . 10.1071/CH9560288 . 2.
2. Weiss I, Rössler T, Hofferberth J, Brummer M, Ruther J, Stökl J . A nonspecific defensive compound evolves into a competition avoidance cue and a female sex pheromone . Nature Communications . 4 . 1 . 2767 . 2013-11-15 . 24231727 . 10.1038/ncomms3767 . 3868268 . 2013NatCo...4.2767W .
3. Ebrahim SA, Dweck HK, Stökl J, Hofferberth JE, Trona F, Weniger K, Rybak J, Seki Y, Stensmyr MC, Sachse S, Hansson BS, Knaden M . 6 . Drosophila Avoids Parasitoids by Sensing Their Semiochemicals via a Dedicated Olfactory Circuit . PLOS Biology . 13 . 12 . e1002318 . December 2015 . 26674493 . 4687525 . 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002318 . free .
4. Sakan T, Isoe S, Hyeon SB, Katsumura R, Maeda T, Wolinsky J, Dickerson D, Slabaugh M, Nelson D . 6 . Exact nature of matatabilactone and the terpenes of Nepeta cataria . Tetrahedron Letters . 1965 . 6 . 46 . 4097–4102 . 10.1016/s0040-4039(01)99572-3.