Stimulation of sex pheromone production by head extract in Spodoptera littoralis at different times of the photoperiod

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Abstract
Adult females of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) showed a cyclic pattern of sex pheromone production, and high titers of (Z,E)‐9,11‐tetradecadienyl acetate, the major component of its pheromone blend, were only detected during scotophase. Maximal amounts of pheromone were extracted approximately 2 h into second scotophase. Decapitation before the beginning of darkness inhibited normal production of pheromone, and no calling behavior was observed. Injection of brain‐suboesophageal ganglion (Br‐SOG) homogenate at the onset of scotophase restored pheromone production in decapitated females to the levels characteristic of second scotophase. Pheromone biosynthesis was also stimulated in decapitated females during photophase. The response to Br‐SOG homogenate injection was dose‐dependent. The pheromonotropic activity of Br‐SOG extract was the same when females were injected during photophase or scotophase.

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