title: Male response to natural sex pheromone ofMigdolus fryanus westwood (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) females as affected by daily climatic factors.
abstract: Males of the sugarcane borer,Migdolus fryanus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), are attracted to females by means of a sex pheromone. Mating usually occurs during a few days from October to March under field conditions in São Paulo State, Brazil. This work reports on mating of this species as affected by daily climatic factors, during a single nuptial flight. Maximum male capture by the natural sex pheromone occurred from 10∶00 to 11∶00 AM at air and soil temperatures of 30.0°C and relative humidity of 57.0%. As these temperatures increased, females burrowed into the soil, as they are more sensitive to heat than males. Thus, it was concluded that sex pheromone-mediated mating in this cerambycid is directly affected by temperatures of air and soil.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Animal Viçosa, 36570.000, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bento
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Della Lucia
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Frighetto