Search Results (3)

The poplar moth, Leucoptera sinuella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It was first identified in Chile in 2015 and has since become a significant pest in the agricultural sector. Additionally, economic losses are further aggravated by the presence of L. sinuella pupae in nearby fruit orchards. This study investigated the presence of a male-produced sex pheromone in L. sinuella, focusing on the hairpencil (HP) glands, which are known as dissemination structures for male pheromones in lepidopterans. Male HP glands were solvent-extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Chemical microderivatization and comparisons of mass spectra and retention indices of natural compounds with synthetic standards led to the identification of two compounds: (Z)-3-decenyl hexanoate (the major component) and (Z)-3-decen-1-ol (a minor component). Although electrophysiological assays did not show detectable antennal responses to (Z)-3-decenyl hexanoate, behavioral bioassays demonstrated its role as a short-range courtship signal in L. sinuella. Males with ablated hairpencils exhibited significantly reduced courtship success compared to controls; however, exposure of females to synthetic (Z)-3-decenyl hexanoate or HP extract restored male courtship success. To our knowledge, (Z)-3-decenyl hexanoate has not been previously reported as a sex pheromone component in any insect species, making this discovery an intriguing addition to the diversity of chemical communication in insects. Full article

Osmia cornuta Latr. is largely managed worldwide for the pollination of orchard crops, playing a key role in the maintenance of healthy ecosystems and ensuring economic and social benefits for human society. The management techniques of this pollinator include the possibility of delaying emergence from cocoons after diapause, allowing for the pollination of later-blooming fruit crops. In this study, the mating behaviour of bees emerging at the natural time (Right Emergence Insects) and of late-emerged bees (Aged Emergence Insects) was described in order to test if a delay in emergence could affect the mating sequence of O. cornuta. Markov analysis of the mating behaviour revealed the occurrence of antenna motion episodes that were repeated in a stereotyped manner at regular intervals during the mating sequence of both Right Emergence Insects and in Aged Emergence Insects. Pouncing, rhythmic and continuous emission of sound, motion of antennae, stretching of the abdomen, short and long copulations, scratching, inactivity, and self-grooming were identified as the stereotyped behavioural units of a behavioural sequence. The occurrence of short copulations, the frequency of which increased with the age of bees, could lead to a failure in the reproduction of the mason bee. Full article

The Sminthurididae family includes Symphypleona species highly adapted to courtship, with males exhibiting remarkable modifications on their antennae. Here we describe a new Neotropical genus and species of Sminthurididae from a Cerrado-Caatinga ecotonal zone in Brazil. Males of Parasminthurides spinosus gen. nov. sp. nov. have highly dimorphic antennal claspers similar to those of Sminthurides, but its females have unique strong spiniform chaetae on antennal segments II and III as well, which are possibly accessories for the courtship. The new genus can also be diagnosed by its elongated maxillae, males having large dorsal vesicles between abdomen II and III, ungues I–III with similar morphology and sizes, and interno-apical dental chaetae modified into large spiniform chaetae. We also present the main diagnostic features of all Sminthurididae genera, providing a comparative table and an updated identification key for them. Finally, we discuss the previous and current knowledge on the family’s systematics, suggesting some perspectives for future studies in this field. Full article