Is the sex communication of two pyralid moths, Plodia interpunctella and Ephestia kuehniella, under circadian clock regulation?
Females of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, and females of the Mediterranean flour month, Ephestia kuehniella (both Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), exhibit daily rhythms in calling behavior. The peak in P. interpunctella calling occurs at dusk, whereas E. kuehniella calls preferentially at dawn. This behavior turned arrhythmic in P. interpunctella females in constant darkness (DD) and remained arrhythmic in constant light (LL), whereas E. kuehniella females showed a persistent rhythm in DD and suppression of the behavior in LL, indicating regulation by a circadian clock mechanism. The rhythm of male locomotor activity corresponded well with the sexual activity of females, reaching the peak at dusk in P. interpunctella and at dawn in E. kuehniella. An immunohistochemical study of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, corazonin, and pigment dispersing factor revealed distinct sets of neurons in the brain-subesophageal complex and in the neurohemal organs of the 2 species.
Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. radkaz@pf.jcu.cz
Radka
R
Závodská
Silvie
S
Fexová
Germund
G
von Wowern
Gui-Biao
GB
Han
David
D
Dolezel
Ivo
I
Sauman
D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007313:Insecta; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009036:Moths / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000737:chemistry; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism; D010858:Pigmentation; D012724:Sex Attractants; D012737:Sex Factors; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013045:Species Specificity
D006728:Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010675:Pheromones; D012724:Sex Attractants