De novo formation of an aggregation pheromone precursor by an isoprenyl diphosphate synthase-related terpene synthase in the harlequin bug

Significance Many insects release volatile terpenes for chemical communication. However, the biosynthetic origin and evolution of these infochemicals are mostly unknown. We show that the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica , a stink bug pest (Hemiptera) of crucifer crops, produces a terpene aggregation pheromone by an enzyme that is unrelated to microbial and plant terpene synthases. M. histrionica terpene synthase activity is highly sex- and...