Extraction and Gas Chromatography Analysis of Adult Pheromones from the African Butterfly Bicyclus anynana

INTRODUCTION

Pheromones are used for communication among individuals of the same species, including attracting mates. A blend of chemical components is recognized as a pheromone if it elicits a behavioral or physiological response. Gas chromatography (GC) helps to separate complex mixtures of chemicals extracted from a target tissue. When the extract is associated with an internal standard, GC can be used to quantify the amounts of the chemical components present on a target tissue. This protocol describes the preparation of pheromone extracts from wings of the African butterfly Bicyclus anynana and the subsequent use of these extracts in GC analysis.