PHEROMONOTROPIC AND PHEROMONOSTATIC ACTIVITY IN MOTHS

Pheromone biosynthesis in many species of moths requires a pheromonotr opic neurosecretion, the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptid e (PBAN), from the brain-subesophageal ganglion-corpora cardiaca compl ex. Some investigators suggest that PBAN is released into the hemolymp h and acts directly on sex pheromone glands (SPG) via a Ca++/calmoduli n-dependent adenylate cyclase. Others suggest, however, that PBAN acts via octopamine that is released by nerves from the terminal abdominal ganglion innervating the SPC. These findings suggest that there are c ontroversies on the mode of action of PBAN and other pheromonotropic f actors, sometimes even within the same species. Mating in many insects results in temporary or permanent suppression of pheromone production and/or receptivity. Such a suppression may result from physical block age of the gonopore or deposition of pheromonostatic factor(s) by the male during copulation that result in suppressed pheromone production and/or receptivity in females either directly or by a primer effect. I n several species of insects, including moths, a pheromonostatic facto r is transferred in the seminal fluid of males. Similar to the controv ersies associated with the pheromonotropic activity of PBAN, sometimes even within the same species, there appear to be controversies in phe romonostasis in heliothines as well. This paper reviews these conflict ing findings and presents some data on pheromonostatic and pheromonotr opic activity in Heliothis virescens that support and conflict with cu rrent information, raising further questions. Answers to some of the q uestions are partly available; however, they remain to be answered une quivocally. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.