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Chem Senses

Title:		The role of heliothine hairpencil compounds in female Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) behavior and mate acceptance
Author(s):		Hillier NK; Vickers NJ;
Address:		"Department of Biology, University of Utah, Room 201 South Biology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. hillier@biology.utah.edu"
Journal Title:		Chem Senses
Year:		2004
Volume:		29
Issue:		6
Page Number:		499 - 511
DOI:		10.1093/chemse/bjh052
ISSN/ISBN:		0379-864X (Print) 0379-864X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Studies on numerous insect species suggest that male-produced sex pheromones play a role in attracting females; as aphrodisiacs, making females more quiescent; or as a means of inhibiting competing males. Male heliothine moths display abdominal hairpencils during courtship, but the specific effects of the odors released on female behavior have not yet been elucidated. This study investigates the role of male hairpencil compounds in female Heliothis virescens mating behavior. Female H. virescens were exposed to filter paper loaded with hairpencil extracts of male H. virescens, Heliothis subflexa and Helicoverpa zea, and observed for behavioral responses to odors. Single synthetic compounds found in the H. virescens hairpencil blend were also tested. In mating assays between single male and female H. virescens it was found that: (i) antennectomized females mated less frequently than sham-operated females; (ii) females mated less frequently with males whose hairpencils had been surgically removed; (iii) females mated with males with ablated hairpencils if a filter paper loaded with one male equivalent of H. virescens hairpencil extract was presented simultaneously; and (iv) this effect was species-specific, as presentation of H. subflexa or H. zea hairpencil extracts did not restore mate acceptance. This study suggests that odors released by male hairpencils are important in mate acceptance by female H. virescens, and may play a role in mate choice and species isolation"
Keywords:		"Animals Female Male Moths/*physiology Odorants Sense Organs/physiology Sex Attractants/chemistry/*physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal Species Specificity;"
Notes:		"MedlineHillier, N K Vickers, N J eng Comparative Study Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2004/07/23 Chem Senses. 2004 Jul; 29(6):499-511. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjh052"