Response of single antennal neurons of female cabbage loopers to behaviorally active attractants

Abstract

The response to biologically significant odor signals in insects is dependent on a well-developed olfactory system. For most moths, successful mate location depends ultimately on a coupling between female-emitted sex pheromone components and male antennal receptor cells [I]. The reception and processing of pheromones by male moth sensory pathways have been better elucidated than host-plant odor reception by female insects Among the possible reasons for this discrepancy is the fact that female behavioral responses have not been intensively investigated, and there appear to be many possible active combinations of components from these complex mixtures [2, 31. A better understanding of the relationship between host-plant odors and their effects on the peripheral olfactory receptors of females is necessary inasmuch as volatile chemicals emitted by plants are often crucial in enabling female insects to locate suit-