GENETIC-BASIS OF AN INSECT CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION-SYSTEM - EUROPEAN CORN-BORER LEPIDOPTERA, PYRALIDAE

Geometric isomers of 11-tetradecenyl acetate make up the sex pheromone secretion of the female European com borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Htibner). The isomeric composition of the secretion is controlled by simple Mendelian inheritance involving one pair of alleles. The female AA genotype secretes an isomer mixture that approximates 3:97 Z:E and theaa genotype secretes approximately 97:3Z:E. Hybrid females (Aa genotype) that arise from crosses between the AA and aa genotypes secrete an isomer mixture that approximates 35:65 Z:E and sibling males respond preferentially to the 35:65 isomer combination rather than to either of the parental isomer mixtures. The 3 pheromonal forms were detected in feral populations of the insect from Italy and New Jersey. © 1979 Entomological Society of America.