The evolution of sexually dimorphic cuticular hydrocarbons in blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)Cuticular hydrocarbons of Australian Chrysomya (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are organic compounds found on the cuticles of all insects which can act as close-contact pheromones, while also providing a hydrophobic barrier to water loss. Given their widespread importance in sexual behaviour and survival, CHCs have likely contributed heavily to the adaptation and speciation of insects. Despite this, the patterns and mechanisms of their diversification have been studied in very few taxa. This dataset constitutes the first of CHCs in Australian Chrysomya blowflies. The data demonstrate that blowflies express an exceptional diversity of CHCs, which have diversified in a non-phylogenetic and punctuated manner, are species-specific, and sexually dimorphic.Â