Molecular Bases for the Biosynthesis of Species-Specific Sex Pheromones in the Genus Ostrinia (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract

The genus Ostrinia (Lepidoptera; Crambidae) consists of 21 species worldwide, 9 of which inhabit Japan. These closely related species, which utilize different host plants, provide an excellent model for studies on the evolution of sex pheromone communication systems as well as speciation. In this chapter, we review the progress of research on the sex pheromone communication system of Ostrinia inhabiting Japan. We focus on the molecular bases for the biosynthesis of sex phero-mone components, differential production of which is responsible for the divergence of sex pheromones.