PHEROMONE BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSES IN UNUSUAL MALE EUROPEAN CORN-BORER HYBRID PROGENY NOT CORRELATED TO ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOTYPES OF THEIR PHEROMONE-SPECIFIC ANTENNAL NEURONS

In genetic studies on the sex pheromone communication system of two ra ces of European corn borer, which use opposite pheromone blends of the E and Z compounds, it was found that antennal olfactory cell response amplitudes to the two compounds were controlled by an autosomal facto r, whereas behavioral responses to the blends were controlled by a sex -linked locus. Because of the difference in genetic controls, it was p ostulated that some unusual males would be produced in F-2 crosses bet ween these two races. These unusual males would have antennal olfactor y cells that respond as the Z-race males, but would respond behavioral ly to the E blend. The present studies combined behavioral studies in a flight tunnel and single cell electrophysiological studies to show t hat these unusual males do indeed exist. These findings show that the spike amplitude of peripheral olfactory cells is not important in regu lating species- or race-specific pheromone responses, as compared to s ome central nervous system factor assesses the spike frequencies from different pheromone-component-specific cells on the antenna. This fact or seems to be essential in governing the pheromone-blend specific beh avioral responses of male moths.