Previously, I had asked a question "Are sex pheromones produced by microorganisms?". Therefore, to test our hypothesis, we cultured the isolated bacteria attractive to B. dorslais males. The volatiles of the cultured bacteria were collected and subjected to GC-EAD and GC-MS analysis. The insect responded very sharply to a single minor peak of the FID!! Using MS library search we identified the compound and to our astonishment the compound was a Spiroacetal. Is it possible fruit flies feed on these micro-organism and harbor them in their body to help them produce these pheromones? If yes, how could insects learn such complex behaviors of harboring a specific microorganism?

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