Learning individual signatures: rove beetle males discriminate unreceptive females by cuticular hydrocarbon patterns

► Male rove beetles Aleochara curtula learn the individual-specific scent of mated females. ► The scent of females is only learned in association with the antiaphrodisiac pheromone. ► The scent cues are provided by the cuticular hydrocarbons of females. ► Males refrain from sexual grasping response when perceiving the scent of a learned female.