Concurrent modulation of neuronal and behavioural olfactory responses to sex and host plant cues in a male moth

摘要: Mating has profound effects on animal physiology and behaviour, not only in females but also males, which we show here for olfactory responses. In cotton leafworm moths, Spodoptera littoralis, odour-mediated attraction to sex pheromone plant volatiles are modulated after mating, producing a behavioural response that matches the physiological condition of male insect. Unmated males attracted by upwind flight released calling females, as well lilac flowers green leaves host cotton, signalling adult food mating sites, respectively. temporarily abolishes odour, does diminish flowers. This modulation is correlated with system, shown electro-physiological recordings from antennae functional imaging antennal lobe, using natural odours synthetic compounds. An effect responses indicates presence functionally independent neural circuits within system. Our results indicate these interconnect weigh perception social habitat odour signals generate appropriate according state.