BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSE OF PODISUS-MACULIVENTRIS (HEMIPTERA, PENTATOMIDAE) TO ITS SYNTHETIC PHEROMONE

A wind-tunnel bioassay was used to determine the effect of age and fee ding history (starvation) on the response of Podisus maculiventris (Sa y) to its synthetic pheromone. Starved male and female adults showed p ositive anemotaxis toward the pheromone source; well-fed insects did n ot. This supports the hypothesis that P. maculiventris adults use the pheromone as a cue indicating presence of prey, in addition to a matin g cue, although a physiological explanation for the lack of response b y well-fed insects is also passible. in the presence of the pheromone, fed as well as starved insects increased activities such as extending antennae upwind; fluttering wings; and rubbing antennae, proboscis, f orelegs, hindlegs, and abdomen, These activities may indicate stimulat ion of olfactory receptors on antennae and contact chemoreceptors else where on the body. First- to third-generation offspring of field-colle cted P. maculiventris showed greater response to the synthetic pheromo ne compared with individuals from a 2-year-old laboratory colony, indi cating the importance of using field-collected insects in behavioral s tudies. Fifth instars did not respond to the synthetic pheromone in th e wind tunnel.