| Title: | Sexual behavior and diel activity of citrus fruit borer Ecdytolopha aurantiana |
| Author(s): | Bento JM; Parra JR; Vilela EF; Walder JM; Leal WS; |
| Address: | "Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agricola, ESALQ-USP, Piracicaba-SP, Brazil" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Males and virgin females of the citrus fruit borer Ecdytolopha aurantiana Lima, displayed two flight peaks during a 24-hr period, one at dawn and the other at dusk in an orange grove near Gaviao Peixoto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. During the day, when temperatures were highest and relative humidity lowest, most individuals rested on leaves in the lower and middle crown. Moths rapidly moved higher in the crown after sunset, and many were observed flying above the tree canopy. This behavior was mainly associated with mating. Males and virgin females marked with fluorescent powder of different colors were observed in the dark with the aid of a black light. Mating was observed only in the upper crown of citrus trees from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, with a peak (64%) between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. Males of E. aurantiana were captured in traps baited either with virgin females or female extracts, suggesting the use of a long-range sex pheromone. At close distance (1-2 cm), males and females displayed a short-range communication behavior, with males exposing hairpencils and vibrating their wings. Females were frequently stimulated to contact the body of a male before copulation. The mean duration of copulation was 1 hr 40 min" |
| Keywords: | "*Animal Communication Animals Circadian Rhythm Female Flight, Animal Humidity *Lepidoptera Male Movement *Sex Attractants *Sexual Behavior, Animal Temperature Vibration Wings, Animal;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineBento, J M Parra, J R Vilela, E F Walder, J M Leal, W S eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2001/11/17 J Chem Ecol. 2001 Oct; 27(10):2053-65. doi: 10.1023/a:1012294921058" |
