Abstract
Factors affecting sex pheromone production and male responses in the bruchid beetle, Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic), were studied using electroantennogram (EAG) and behavior assays. Virgin females at emergence already had produced a significant amount of putative sex pheromone. As females grew older, sex pheromone production reached a maximum at age 2 d. Virgin females emitted pheromone throughout the day, but they emitted slightly less during the 2nd half of photophase. Immediately after mating, females produced significantly less sex pheromone than did virgin females of the same age, but older mated females produced similar amounts of pheromone to those of virgin females of the same age. The pygidium is the likely site of sex pheromone production, because extracts of pygidium elicited highest male EAG responses among the extracts of various dissected body parts of newly emerged females. Male EAG responses increased with the male age.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
