author(s)
Pavithra GR, Kavyaa A, Ramitha K, Mareelen Mercy S, Keerthana K and R Yamuna

abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) constitute a vital biochemical interface between insects and their environment, functioning in communication, waterproofing, and ecological adaptation. This study comparatively analyzed the qualitative and quantitative composition of CHCs in the carpenter ant Camponotus pennsylvanicus and the red cotton bug Dysdercus cingulatus using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Both species were collected from field habitats and extracted in n-hexane under controlled laboratory conditions. GC-MS profiling revealed distinct chemical patterns: C. pennsylvanicus exhibited a predominance of long-chain linear alkanes such as pentadecane (18.1%) and heneicosane (11.1%), while D. cingulatus showed a higher proportion of fatty acids and esters, including phthalic acid esters (14.4%) and octadecadienoic acid (12.1%). These compositional divergences reflect ecological differentiation, with C. pennsylvanicus utilizing stable saturated hydrocarbons for desiccation resistance and social communication, whereas D. cingulatus displays lipid-rich cuticular profiles associated with reproductive and host-plant interactions. The study provides biochemical evidence supporting the adaptive evolution of CHCs across social and phytophagous insect taxa, contributing to a broader understanding of chemical ecology in insects.