7(Z)-Pentacosene

7(Z)-Pentacosene is an unsaturated cuticular hydrocarbon that acts as a contact sex pheromone in fruit flies. In different species and genotypes of Drosophila, it can be found on both males and females.{16828,17569,17568} Pentacosene may stimulate copulation either by itself at high concentrations or when combined with other alkenes.{16279} Interestingly, the absolute level of pentacosene increases in Drosophila females immediately after copulation.{17568,16828}