Pheromone variation among eastern European and a western Asian population of the turnip mothAgrotis segetum

Abstract

The female sex pheromone composition and the male electro-physiological response with respect to the three main sex pheromone components, (Z)-5-decenyl acetate, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, were investigated in populations ofAgrotis segetum from Armenia and Bulgaria. The percentage composition of the female-produced pheromone was 1∶52∶47 and 1∶42∶57 for the respective populations. Corresponding male receptor frequencies were 9∶90∶1 and 6∶92∶2. EAG response profiles of the male antennae were similar for the two populations. The populations from Armenia and Bulgaria differed from the earlier investigated French and Swedish populations, which have larger amounts of (Z)-5-decenyl acetate in gland extracts and have a majority of (Z)-5-decenyl acetate-sensitive receptors. Investigation of receptor frequencies on antennae of male Hungarian moths showed that individuals could be classified as either Swedish or Armenian/Bulgarian type. Males of the Swedish type were preferentially attracted to the three-component pheromone blend, whereas blends of (Z)-7-dodecenyl and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, and (Z)-7-dodecenol [pure or in mixture with (Z)-5-decenol] attracted the Armenian/Bulgarian type. The nature of pheromone variation among European and Asian populations of the turnip moth and possible mechanisms maintaining the variation are discussed.

Unusual response characteristics of pheromone-specific olfactory receptor neurons in the Asian corn borer moth,Ostrinia furnacalis

“…From earlier investigations we know that it is indeed sufficient, with a very low percentage of neurons detecting behaviorally crucial odors (Kalinová et al, 2001;Baker et al, 2004). In the turnip moth, Agrotis segetum, approximately 1-2% of the male olfactory receptor neurons are tuned to an important pheromone component, and in this case no other neurons respond to this specific component (Löfstedt et al, 1982;Hansson et al, 1990).…”

Function and Morphology of the Antennal Lobe: New Developments

“…In this species a large variation both in female pheromone production and male sensory setup was initially shown between different parts of Europe and western Asia (60,95). However, the largest differences were found when two races, occurring north and south of the Sahara, were compared (140).…”

Identification of acetates in elasmopalpulus lignosellus pheromone glands using a newly created mass spectral database and kóvats retention indices

“…It appears this is the case with E. lignosellus in relation to the population studied in the USA 4 . In another study, sex pheromone "dialects" have been reported in Agrotis segetum from different geographic regions 14 .…”