Mating Response to Visual Stimulus in the Male Codling Moth 1

Abstract

Male codling moths, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.), were tested to determine if visual stimulus contributed to copulatory response. One group of males had their antennae excised and eyes covered with opaque paint; a 2nd group had their antennae excised; a 3rd group had their eyes covered; and a 4th group that was unaltered in any way. Percentage matings for the treatment groups were 19, 45, and 60, respectively, compared with 87% for the control. The difference between the treatment groups and the control was significant. Vision and other factors contribute to copulatory response in male codling moths.