ABSTRACT
S. latifascia andS. descoinsi are closely related species that occur sympatrically over limited areas in French Guiana. We examined allopatric populations,S. latifascia originating from Barbados andS. descoinsi from French Guiana. Studies on nocturnal activity cycles showed temporal partitioning of female calling behavior, male sexual activity, and mating behavior.S. descoinsi were sexually active in the first half of the scotophase whereasS. latifascia were sexually active in the second half. Seven compounds (Z9-14: Ac,Z9,E12-14: Ac,Z11-16: Ac,E9,E12-14: Ac,Z9-14: Ald,Z9,E11-14: Ac andZ11-14: Ac) were identified in females of bothS. latifascia andS. descoinsi extracts.Z9-14: Ac was a main pheromone component for the two species. The major difference between the pheromones ofS. latifascia andS. descoinsi was the proportion ofZ9,E12-14: Ac in the extracts: 7% forS. latifascia and 42% forS. descoinsi. The proportion ofZ9,E12-14: Ac relative to the sum ofZ9-14: Ac andZ9,E12-14: Ac in individual gland extracts was 4±1% (mean ± standard deviation) forS. latifascia and 44.8±6% forS. descoinsi. Electrophysiological studies showed no major differences between species in the morphology and physiology of the pheromone receptors of males. Receptors were identified forZ9-14: Ac andZ9,E12-14: Ac, but no receptor was found for the other compounds. In the wind tunnel, synthetic blends withZ9-14: Ac andZ9,E12-14: Ac gave the same behavioral responses as conspecific female extracts for the males of the two species. Some cross-attraction was observed with synthetic blends and female extracts. Nethertheless, previous field trapping experiments in French Guiana were species-specific and suggested differences in the attractivity of males. In the laboratory,S. latifascia andS. descoinsi could hybridize in both reciprocal crosses. FemaleS. descoinsi × maleS. latifascia mating rate was significantly lower than for the reciprocal cross, and 26.7% of femaleS. descoinsi could not separate from maleS. latifascia after mating. These copulatory problems may involve genital incompatibilities between males and females. Several barriers against interbreeding betweenS. latifascia andS. descoinsi seem to combine including differences in nocturnal activity cycles, pheromone differences, and genital barriers. The study of sympatric populations will be necessary to define the role of sex pheromones in the reproductive isolation ofS. latifascia andS. descoinsi.
ABSTRACT
Female-emitted pheromones and sex attractants of Noctuidae were investigated using a specific computer procedure to analyze data collected from the literature. Correspondence analysis was used to survey the structure-activity relationships of sex pheromones in seven subfamilies. Structural, stereochemical, and functional features of active molecules were related to taxonomy. This multidimensional analysis revealed that the prevalent chemical frame of noctuid moth pheromones was a monounsaturated acetate withZ stereochemistry and a double bond on the fifth carbon closest to the nonfunctional branch of the molecule. Possible phylogenetic relationships within Noctuidae and between Noctuidae and other families are discussed in light of the sex pheromone biochemistry. Female sex pheromones appeared to be an additional character to be considered in the classification of noctuid moths.
ABSTRACT
7E, 9Z dodecadienyl acetate, a sex-heromone for Lobesia botrana, is selectively attractive, in vineyards, for males of this species. By testing this compound in woods and orchards, we have found that it was also selectively attractive for males of a geometrid moth; Sterrha biselata. This is one of the first examples where a definite chemical substance is active for a geometrid species.
