Pheromone Perception Research Articles

FEMALE COYNESS AND RECEPTIVITY DURING COURTSHIP IN PLODIA INTERPUNCTELLA (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

AbstractThe receptivity of sexually mature Plodia interpunctella females during courtship was quantitatively analyzed. When males approached from the rear, two thirds of the females moved away from them on the first courtship encounter so that only 22% of these encounters led to copulation. In second encounters from the rear, however, 86% of the females turned and accepted the males, and 40% of them copulated. When the males approached head-on there was no observable difference in female receptiveness between first and second encounters; in each case over 90% of the females accepted the males and at least 55% of them copulated. Since the acceptance of the male by the female is dependent on her perception of a male sex pheromone released by scent glands on his forewings, she can probably identify the male immediately in head-on encounters but requires additional time or stimulation to do so in rear encounters.

Inhibition of Pheromone Perception by Male Cabbage Loopers 1 and Beet Armyworms: 1 Proximity vs. Atmospheric Permeation 2

( Z,E )-9,l2-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate ( Z,E -9,12-TDDA), ( Z )-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate ( Z -9-TDA), and ( Z )-9-dodecen-1-ol acetate ( Z -9-DDA) significantly reduced captures of ♂ Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) when these compounds were evaporated separately in the same trap with T. ni sex pheromone, ( Z )-7-dodecen-1-ol acetate. However, when the same compounds were present throughout a small area (81 m 2 ) as a background odor, catches of T. ni males in pheromone traps were not affected. The situation was different with Spodoptera exigua (Hübner). Catches in traps were reduced significantly when Z -9-DDA and Z -9-TDA were evaporated from female-baited pheromone traps and when they were evaporated into the atmosphere surrounding traps. Z,E -9,12-TDDA was also effective in disrupting orientation of S. exigua males to females when it was evaporated into the atmosphere. The reasons for the differences in results obtained with T. ni in the 2 (trapping and atmospheric permeation) tests are obscure.

Reinvestigation of oak leaf roller sex pheromone components and the hypothesis that they vary with diet.

The sex pheromone of the oak leaf roller, Archips semiferanus, was identified as a specific blend (67:33) of trans-11- and cis-11-tetradecenyl acetates. The pheromone blend of females from a semisynthetic diet and from three oak species did not vary significantly. Males from these diets responsded in the laboratory and the field only to treatments approximating the 67 : 33 blend. These findings conflict with the hypothesis that the composition and perception of month sex pheromones vary with slight changes in diet.

External morphology of antennae and their sense organs in the roach Gromphadorhina brunneri (Blattoidea: Dictyoptera).

The antennae and their sense organs in nymphs and adult roaches of Gromphadorhina brunneri, were investigated and described. The number of segments and sensillae of the nymphal antennae depend on the developmental stage. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced. Males have longer antennae than females as well as an abundance of especially long sensory hairs (long wavy hairs), which are probably responsible for the perception of female sex pheromones. They also have more thin-walled sensory hairs, for instance, sensilla trichodea. On a morphological basis the sensillae of Gromphadorhina brunneri, were named and classified. Long wavy hairs and large sensory hairs appear to be present also in a related species, G. portentosa, but are lacking in others. Their distribution on the antennae varies greatly from that in G. portentosa but their structure varies only slightly. These two types of sense organs are considered to be specialized forms of sensilla chaetica. They are contact chemoreceptors, as are two other types of sensilla chaetica. Furthermore, thin-walled chemoreceptors are present, such as sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla coeloconica and a typical mechanoreceptor, the sensillum campaniformium.

Production and perception of attractive pheromones by differently aged workers ofMyrmica rubra (Hymenoptera Formicidae)

Production and perception of attractive pheromones by differently aged workers ofMyrmica rubra (Hymenoptera Formicidae)

Perception of Z -7-dodecen-1-ol and Modification of the Sex Pheromone Response of Male Loopers 1

Z -7-dodecen-1-ol prevents males of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) and Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) from orienting to a locus of the evaporating sex pheromone, Z -7-dodecen-1-ol acetate. Pheromone perception is not blocked by the inhibitor in that males exhibit excited upwind flight and clasper extension when exposed to pheromone plus inhibitor and preexposure to the inhibitor does not cause fatigue (habituation) of the male pheromone response. We conclude that the inhibitor is most probably perceived via a sensory neuron separate from that for the pheromone and modification of the pheromone response occurs via a more central integrative process.

Ethometric analysis of pheromone receptor function in cockroaches

Cockroach olfactory receptors were studied with respect to their rôle in mediating behavioural responses to aggregation pheromone and female sex pheromone by employing experimental cockroaches in bioassays for aggregation and courting activity. Using organ ablation and techniques combining ablation with colchicine treatment of antennae, the antennae were determined to be sensory organs for perception of both pheromones. Since proteins are thought to be implicated in the molecular mechanism of olfactory perception, chemicals known to affect proteins were applied to the antennae. Bathing antennae with saline, distilled water, vincristine, vinblastine, or colchicine resulted in no reduction in responses to aggregation pheromone, whereas responses to sex pheromone were reduced. Vinca alkaloids caused the greatest depression in responses, and of these, vincristine treatment required the longest time period for complete recovery. Full sexual display by vinca alkaloid-treated males was not apparent until 8 days after treatment. The effect of formaldehyde vapour treatment, habituation, or both produced differential results. Formaldehyde treatment reduced responses to aggregation pheromone, but did not affect responses to sex pheromone. Habituation alone had no effect on aggregation, but initially reduced responses to sex pheromone. Combined treatments did not affect responses to aggregation pheromone, but resulted in a complete loss of responses to sex pheromone requiring a recovery period of 8 days. The main conclusion drawn from this work is that although responses to sex and aggregation pheromone are mediated by antennal sensillae, their mechanisms must differ drastically.

Inhibitory Effects of Individual Components of the Sex Pheromone of a Tortricid Moth on the Sexual Stimulation of Males

RECENTLY, cis-9 and cis-11-tetradecen-1-ol acetates, the principal components of the sex pheromone of the smaller tea tortrix, Adoxophyes fasciata, and the summerfruit tortrix, A. orana, were isolated from virgin females, identified and synthesised1–3. Individually, neither component was active even when presented in unusually large amounts. Furthermore, most male moths failed to respond when the two compounds were presented in sequence within a few seconds of each other. In contrast, a mixture of the two compounds at the 10−5 µg level elicited the characteristic sexual response from the male moths. Some studies on sex pheromone perception have revealed that geometrical isomers strongly inhibit the response of male moths to their sex pheromone4–7. These facts prompted us to examine the effects of individual compounds and their geometrical isomers on the sexual behaviour of the smaller tea tortrix. We found that the individual pheromone components, but not geometrical isomers, had an inhibitory effect on male stimulation by the sex pheromone.

Inhibition of Pheromone Perception in European Pine Shoot Moth 1 by Synthetic Acetates

Insect sex pheromones have recently received considerable attention as potential agents for selective control of insect populations. One pheromone-related behavioral approach involves interrupting the normal reproductive cycle by preventing orientation of male to female by the use of pheromone inhibition (Wright 1965, Shorey et al. 1967, Roelofs and Comeau 1968, Traynier 1970, Beroza et al. 1971). A series of sixteen 12-carbon aliphatic acetates were evaluated as inhibitors of European pine shoot moth, Rhyacionia buoliana (Schiffermuller), sex pheromone perception.

Sex pheromone perception: Electroantennogram responses of the red-banded leaf roller moth

Electroantennograms (EAG) were recorded for various compounds which can modify the attractancy of the red-banded leaf roller moth sex pheromone. Inhibitors and synergists elicit definite antennal responses in accordance with a proposed protein receptor model for pheromone perception. The sex pheromone produced the highest amplitude EAG responses of all monounsaturated positional isomers, but no correlation could be made between EAG shape and behavioural activity.

Mating Behavior and Evidence for a Sex Pheromone of Dioryctria abietella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae (Phycitinae))1

Mating behavior of Dioryctria abietella (Denis & Schiffermuller) is described, and evidence of female production and male perception of a sex pheromone is presented. The nocturnal “calling” behavior of females at the time of sex-pheromone release was observed under light-dark cycles of 12 hours light: 12 hours darkness. Calling began 5–6 hours after dark, was maximum after 9 hours of darkness, and generally ceased just prior to the onset of the light phase. Matings occurred only during periods of female calling, and the peak periods of mating and female calling coincided. Multiple matings were observed with both male and female moths. A crude diethyl ether extract of female abdomens excised during peak periods of calling elicited initial mating responses in male moths when the extract was introduced into the air stream of an olfactometer.

Sex pheromone perception: Synergists and inhibitors for the red-banded leaf roller attractant

The sex pheromone of the red-banded leaf roller, Argyrotaenia velutinana, is cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate (RiBLuRe). Molecular modification of the attractant produced certain chemicals which apparently interact with the antennal receptor sites and modify the input to the central nervous system. Compounds possessing a primary acetate, a nucleophilic moiety in position 11 or 12, and terminating at position 12 or 14 are not attractive to males, but greatly increase male catches when combined with RiBLuRe. Compounds possessing a primary acetate, alcohol, formate, or propionate at one end, 14 or 16 carbons in the chain, and unsaturation at or near the 11-position greatly decrease male catches when added to RiBLuRe in field traps. The chemicals are probably affecting the rate of habituation of a male to the attractant signals since neither the synergists nor inhibitors affect laboratory bioassays when mixtures of RiBLuRe and these chemicals are presented to the males. The inhibitors can delay and reduce male responses to the attractant if presented for a period of time before testing with the attractant.

Electromagnetic Communication versus Olfaction in the Corn Earworm Moth, Heliothis zea1,2

At least 2 scientists feel that electromagnetic communication plays an important part in the perception of the female by male Heliothis zea (Boddie) (Laithwaite 1960, Callahan 1967), but the majority of investigators holds that this function is mediated primarily by olfaction. The present contribution is the initial report of an ongoing bioengineering study undertaken to determine the extent of H. zea dependence on electromagnetic communication, if any, and to determine whether the mechanism of pheromone perception is electromagnetic or olfactory.

Short communication. Mutual pheromone antagonism in two sympatric corn borers, Sesamia nonagrioides and Ostrinia nubilalis, under field conditions

In previous studies, we demonstrated cross-antagonism in pheromone perception between pheromone componentsof the two corn (Zea mays L.) borers Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in the laboratory and in the field. The two pheromone components identified as responsible for this cross-antagonism were Z 11-16:Ald, a minor component of S. nonagrioides pheromone, and Z 11-14:Ac, the main component of the pheromone of the Z-strain of O. nubilalis, which inhibited the response of O. nubilalis and S. nonagrioides, respectively. Here, we study this antagonism phenomenon in the field by air permeation of maize plots with each of the two components separately and measurement of mating in caged couples of the two corn borers on treated and untreated plots during three years. A significant reduction in mating rates was observed on the permeated plots: 7% for S. nonagrioides and 12% for O. nubilalis. When dispenser charges (200 ng) were increased by 50% and 75% in the third year, no decrease in mating rates was recorded at either of the increased concentrations. On the other hand, the use of large cages resulted in an increase of 8% to 12% in the percentage of unmated females in each of the two corn borers suggesting that at more realistic field corn borer densities, 0,1 couples/plant instead of the 2 couples/plant used in this experiment, cross-antagonism in the two corn borers could be higher than that recorded in small cages.