Bombykol

Bombykol is the sex pheromone produced by female Bombyx mori, commonly known as the silkmoth. It is the first insect pheromone to be chemically identified and has become a foundational example in chemical ecology. The compound is emitted in minute quantities to attract males for mating, and it can trigger upwind flight and courtship behaviors in male moths at very low concentrations.

Chemically, bombykol is a long-chain unsaturated alcohol with the formula C14H26O. Its standard structural name is (10E,12Z)-10,12-tetradecadien-1-ol, reflecting a 14-carbon backbone with two double bonds positioned at the 10-11 and 12-13 carbons and a primary alcohol group at the first carbon.

Discovery and significance: In 1959, researchers led by Adolf Butenandt identified bombykol as the principal pheromone emitted by female Bombyx mori. The discovery demonstrated that insects use highly specific chemical signals for communication and mating, catalyzing the modern field of pheromone chemistry and sensory biology. Bombykol's identification also spurred the synthesis of the compound and related pheromones, advancing studies in olfactory reception and behavioral ecology.

Applications and impact: Bombykol-inspired research has influenced the development of pheromone-based pest management, including pheromone traps and mating disruption strategies. The study of bombykol has broadened understanding of how moths detect and respond to pheromones, informing both basic science and practical approaches to managing lepidopteran populations.