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Probable Site of Sex Pheromone Emission in Female Vine and Obscure Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

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Abstract

In laboratory bioassays, male Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) and Planococcus ficus Signoret were attracted to body sections of females that included the metathoracic legs. Extracts of the metathoracic legs of female P. ficus were much more attractive to males than extracts of the other legs, and males exhibited copulatory behavior towards these extracts. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of translucent pores on the coxae of mature but not immature females. Collectively, the data suggest that the female-produced sex pheromones of these species are released from the metathoracic legs, probably from the translucent pores.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge financial support for this work from the Harry H. Shorey Endowed Scholarship Fund, UCIPM Grants Program (Project Number 06DS006), the Oregon Wine Board, the Viticulture Consortium West, and the American Vineyard Foundation. We also thank Kent Daane for providing mealybugs and J. Steven McElfresh for advice and assistance with mealybug colony maintenance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Rebeccah A. Waterworth, Richard A. Redak & Jocelyn G. Millar

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  1. Rebeccah A. Waterworth
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  2. Richard A. Redak
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  3. Jocelyn G. Millar
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Correspondence to Rebeccah A. Waterworth.

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Waterworth, R.A., Redak, R.A. & Millar, J.G. Probable Site of Sex Pheromone Emission in Female Vine and Obscure Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). J Insect Behav 25, 287–296 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-011-9297-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-011-9297-1

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