Modification of Behavioral Response in Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Due to Pre-Exposure to Sex Pheromone and Host Plant Volatiles

Abstract

In this study we assessed the effect of pre-exposure to host sex pheromones and plant volatiles on the response of virgin males and mated females of Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), by using glandular extracts of virgin females and host volatile extracts in bioassays conducted in a wind tunnel. Four-day-old insects, either virgin males pre-exposed to glandular extracts of the sex pheromone or mated females pre-exposed to host volatiles, were evaluated 2, 24, and 48 h after pre-exposure. In both sexes, pre-exposure and a subsequent attraction response at 2 h resulted in an inhibitory effect on the olfactory response. Recovery in the olfactory response was observed at 24 and 48 h; however, it took males a shorter activation time when compared with control insects. A brief pre-exposure of insects provoked a short-term (2 h) inhibition of the response to the olfactory stimulus. Consequently, as an integral part of strategies for the management of this pest species, the study of the ecological implications of such inhibition should be considered.