Evolution of the Sex Pheromone Communication System in Ostrinia Moths

It remains a conundrum in the evolution of sexual communication how the signals and responses can co-ordinate the changes during speciation. The genus Ostrinia contains several closely related species as well as distinctive strains with pheromone polymorphism and represents an example of ongoing speciation. Extensive studies in the genus, especially in the species the European corn borer O. nubilalis (ECB), the Asian corn borer O. furnacalis (ACB) and the adzuki bean borer O. scapulalis (ABB), have provided valuable insights into the evolution of sex pheromone communication. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the research on pheromone communication in different Ostrinia species over the past four decades, including pheromone identification and biosynthesis, the ligand profiles of pheromone receptor (PR) genes, the physiology of peripheral olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and the projection pattern to the antennal lobe. By integrating and comparing the closely related Ostrinia species and strains, it provides an evolutionary perspective on the sex pheromone communication in moths in general and also outlines the outstanding questions that await to be elucidated by future studies.

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Sublethal effects of larval treatment with deltamethrin on moth sex pheromone communication system of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis

Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology ◽

10.1016/j.pestbp.2004.05.001 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

pp. 12-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Hong-yi Wei ◽

Jia-wei Du

Keyword(s):

Sex Pheromone ◽

Communication System ◽

Sublethal Effects ◽

Ostrinia Furnacalis ◽

Pheromone Communication ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Asian Corn Borer ◽

Pheromone Communication System

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More Rare Males in Ostrinia: Response of Asian Corn Borer Moths to the Sex Pheromone of the European Corn Borer

Journal of Chemical Ecology ◽

10.1007/s10886-006-9204-y ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 199-212 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Charles E. Linn ◽

Callie J. Musto ◽

Wendell L. Roelofs

Keyword(s):

Sex Pheromone ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Asian Corn Borer ◽

Rare Males

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Genetic Variation in the Strongly Canalized Sex Pheromone Communication System of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae)

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/144.2.757 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 144 (2) ◽

pp. 757-766

Author(s):

Junwei Zhu ◽

Christer Löfstedt ◽

Bent O Bengtsson

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Pheromone Communication ◽

Component Mixture ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Tetradecenyl Acetate ◽

Lepidoptera Pyralidae ◽

Pheromone Communication System ◽

Pheromone Blend

Abstract The major difference in pheromone production between the so-called E and Z strains of the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis is controlled by two alleles at a single autosomal locus. E-strain females produce an (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate pheromone with 1–3% of the Z isomer, whereas Z-strain females produce the opposite blend. In laboratory-reared insects we found that F1 females produced, on average, a 71:29 E/Z ratio, but the distribution was clearly bimodal. The variability in pheromone blend produced by heterozygous females could be explained by the existence of two different alleles in the Z strain which in combination with the E-strain allele for the major production locus cause the production of a component mixture either high or low in the E isomer. In addition, evidence was found for an independently inherited factor, existing in the E strain, with a dominant effect on the amount of E isomer produced by females homozygous for Z-alleles at the major production locus. Thus, the low variability normally found in the pheromone mixture produced by O. nubilulic and other moth females may, by canalization, hide a considerable amount of underlying genetic variation.

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EVIDENCE OF A MALE SEX PHEROMONE IN THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER, OSTRINIA NUBILALIS (HÜBNER) (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent124113-1 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 124 (1) ◽

pp. 113-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Lucie Royer ◽

Jeremy N. McNeil

Keyword(s):

Sex Pheromone ◽

Mating System ◽

Mating Success ◽

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Male Pheromone ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Male Sex Pheromone ◽

Lepidoptera Pyralidae ◽

Male Sex

AbstractEuropean corn borer males have hair pencils located ventrally on the 8th sternite and these are extruded when a male approaches a calling female. The fact that (i) antennectomized females mated significantly less than both intact controls and individuals subjected to other forms of surgery, and (ii) males with hair pencils removed had a significantly lower mating success than control males, suggests that a male pheromone is involved in the mating system of the European corn borer.

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