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Parthenogenesis, Calling Behavior, and Insect-Released Volatiles of Leafminer Moth Phyllonorycter emberizaepenella

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Abstract

We proved that the leafminer moth Phyllonorycter emberizaepenella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) reproduces by parthenogenesis of the thelytoky type. Despite a complete absence of males, parthenogenetically reproducing females diurnally demonstrated the calling posture normally used for releasing signaling compounds. Two compounds, which we collected from a calling female, were identified as potential sex pheromone components: (8E,10E)-8,10-tetradecadienyl acetate and (8E,10E)-8,10-tetradecadienol, the latter occurring only in trace amounts. In field experiments, no males were attracted to traps baited with either the potential sex pheromone or with virgin females. Both the pattern of behavior and the chemical characteristics of the pheromone of Ph. emberizaepenella species were similar to those known for Lepidoptera with the usual amphimictic mode of reproduction. Theoretical speculations that in thelytoky, where there is no need to find a sexual partner, the individuals would obtain certain advantages due to reduction in their sexual behavior, were, thus, not confirmed for Ph. emberizaepenella.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Chemical Ecology, Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, LT-2600, Vilnius, Lithuania

    Raimondas Mozūraitis & Vincas Būda

  2. Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden

    Raimondas Mozūraitis, Ilme Liblikas, Carl Rikard Unelius & Anna-Karin Borg-Karlson

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  1. Raimondas Mozūraitis
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  2. Vincas Būda
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  5. Anna-Karin Borg-Karlson
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Mozūraitis, R., Būda, V., Liblikas, I. et al. Parthenogenesis, Calling Behavior, and Insect-Released Volatiles of Leafminer Moth Phyllonorycter emberizaepenella . J Chem Ecol 28, 1191–1208 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016233817754

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