Chemical Ecology of Astigmatid Mites XXXVI Mite Body Catalyzes Isomerization and Reduction of Neral(Alarm Pheromone Component): Common Phenomenon?

Abstract

Bodies of four astigmatid mites suspended in hexane are able to isomerize neral to geranial, and subsequently to reduce both aldehydes to the corresponding alcohols. The occurrence of these reactions among astigmatid mites was studied using12species in5families.Eight species [Acaridae, Rhizoglyphidae and Glycyphagidae]showed both activities, andisomerization and reduction occurred most rapidly in Carpoglyphus lactis.Only nerol was produced with slowisomerization in Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus[Pyroglyphidae]. No reductionproducts were detected in Suidasia medanensis[Suidasidae]and Histiostoma laboratorium[Histiostomidea], though isomerization took place slowly. Therefore, the isomerization of neral to amixture of neral and geranial, and reduction of both aldehydes to corresponding alcohols were not always common phenomena to all the astigmatid mites.