Reproductive behavior and sex pheromone production in Eutectona machaeralis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Authors

  • Tao Ma Guangxi Key Laboratory of Superior Timber Trees Resource Cultivation, Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning 530002, China
  • Yuanyan Zhang Guangxi Key Laboratory of Superior Timber Trees Resource Cultivation, Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning 530002, China
  • Shengkun Wang Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China
  • Laijiao Lan Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China;
  • Na Lin Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • Cai Wang Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • Yaojun Wu Guangxi Key Laboratory of Superior Timber Trees Resource Cultivation, Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning 530002, China
  • Mingsham Chang Guangxi Key Laboratory of Superior Timber Trees Resource Cultivation, Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning 530002, China
  • Zhaohui Sun Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • Changlu Wang Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA
  • Xiujun Wen Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Keywords:

teak skeletonizer, emergence, calling behavior, electroantennogram

Abstract

The teak skeletonizer, Eutectona machaeralis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a primary pest of teak trees in plantations and natural forests. However, the biology of this pest is not well studied. We investigated adult emergence, calling behavior, and circadian rhythm of sex pheromone production of this moth in the laboratory. Adult emergence only occurred during scotophase, when females emerged faster than males. Females initiated sexual calling behavior starting 1 d after emergence. This behavior then peaked on the second day of emergence. Sex pheromone release peaked 7 h into scotophase, wherein 2-d-old females elicited the strongest male antennal response to this substance. Our results provide a basis for future investigations of E. machaeralis sex pheromone production that may lead to development of novel methods to control this forestry pest.


Resumen

El esqueletizador de teca, Eutectona machaeralis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), es una plaga principal de los árboles de teca en plantaciones y bosques naturales. Sin embargo, la biología de esta plaga no está bien estudiada. Investigamos la aparición de adultos, el comportamiento de llamada y el ritmo circadiano de la producción de feromonas sexuales de esta polilla en el laboratorio. La emergencia del adulto solo ocurrió durante la escotofase, cuando las hembras emergieron más rápido que los machos. Las hembras iniciaron el comportamiento de llamada sexual comenzando 1 dia después de la emergencia. Este comportamiento luego alcanzó su punto máximo en el segundo día de emergencia. La liberación de feromonas sexuales alcanzó un máximo a la 7 hora en la escotofase, en el que las hembras de 2 días de edad provocaron la respuesta antenal masculina más fuerte a esta sustancia. Nuestros resultados proveen una base para investigaciones futuras de la producción de feromonas sexuales de E. machaeralis que pueden resultar en el desarrollo de nuevos métodos para controlar esta plaga forestal.

 

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Published

2019-04-27

Issue

Vol. 101, No. 2 (June 2018)

Section

Research Papers

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