Genetic Basis of an Insect Chemical Communication System: the European Corn Borer 12

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Abstract
Geometric isomers of 11-tetradecenyl acetate make up the sex pheromone secretion of the female European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). The isomeric composition of the secretion is controlled by simple Mendelian inheritance involving one pair of alleles. The female AA genotype secretes an isomer mixture that approximates 3:97 Z : E and the AA genotype secretes approximately 97:3 Z : E . Hybrid females ( AA genotype) that arise from crosses between the AA and AA genotypes secrete an isomer mixture that approximates 35:65 Z : E and sibling males respond preferentially to the 35:65 isomer combination rather than to either of the parental isomer mixtures. The 3 pheromonal forms were detected in feral populations of the insect from Italy and New Jersey.