« Previous Abstract"Evaluation of the odour of Aminoleban(R) EN, taste-masked with flavoured powders, by human and electronic noses"    Next AbstractFitness cost of pheromone production in signaling female moths »

J Chem Ecol

Title:		Mechanism of aggregation behavior inMaladera matrida Argaman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Author(s):		Harari AR; Ben-Yakir D; Rosen D;
Address:		"Department of Entomology, The Hebrew University, Faculty of Agriculture, POB 12, 76100, Rehovol, Israel"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		1994
Volume:		20
Issue:		2
Page Number:		361 - 371
DOI:		10.1007/BF02064443
ISSN/ISBN:		0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"AdultMaladera matrida Argaman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) males emerge from soil for an active period at dusk, a few minutes before the females. Adults are found during most of the active hours on the foliage in aggregations composed of an equal sex ratio. The mechanism of aggregation behavior ofM. matrida beetles was studied in a Y-shaped olfactometer. No evidence was found for the existence of an aggregation pheromone released either by males or by females, but behavior tests indicate that adultM. matrida beetles, males as well as females, are attracted to volatiles of an injured host plant. The following scenario is suggested: Males emerge daily from soil at dusk, a few minutes before the females, and immediately start feeding. Additional males are attracted to the injured host's volatiles and form aggregations. When females emerge from soil, the attractant volatiles are concentrated in spots, and the females join the aggregations, forming an equal sex ratio"
Keywords:
Notes:		"PubMed-not-MEDLINEHarari, A R Ben-Yakir, D Rosen, D eng 1994/02/01 J Chem Ecol. 1994 Feb; 20(2):361-71. doi: 10.1007/BF02064443"