Abstract
Abstract There are several genera of diurnally active fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), and these adults generally do not produce bioluminescent signals. We investigated whether contact sex pheromones play a role in mate recognition in the diurnal firefly Ellychnia corrusca (L.). In laboratory behavioral assays, after antennal contact >70% of males attempted copulation with freeze-killed females, whereas no copulation attempts occurred when freeze-killed females had been washed with hexane. This shows that E. corrusca mate recognition relies on contact chemoreception and suggests that male mating responses are mediated by contact sex pheromones on the female cuticle. Using direct contact solid phase microextraction (SPME) and solvent extraction, we sampled cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) from both sexes of E. corrusca adults. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that SPME was more effective than solvent extraction in detecting CHCs (a two-fold increase in the number of compounds detected). Although E. corrusca males and females showed similar CHCs profiles, we documented several quantitative and qualitative differences between the sexes that may play a role in mate recognition. This report provides the first behavioral evidence for the existence of contact sex pheromones in any diurnal firefly.
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
