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Volatiles emanating from living Schistocerca gregaria at various stages of development were trapped by means of a closed-loop-stripping system. Benzyl cyanide was previously identified with CC-MS methods as a volatile that was exclusively released by adult mature gregarious males. The amount of BC released depended on the number of males per group. Mature female locusts did not stimulate the release of benzyl cyanide in gregarious males. After physical isolation of previously grouped males, a steady reduction in benzyl cyanide release was observed. After regrouping the isolated males, BC emission was restored. In olfactometer bioassays, benzyl cyanide had a strong repellent effect on gregarious mature males but only a weak one on immature males. The possible origin and role of benzyl cyanide in sexual behavior are discussed.