Pheromones emitted by both female and male moths regulate coordination between the sexes for Agriphila aeneociliella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The complex and efficient sex pheromone communication system in insects is essential for reproduction and for reproductive isolation of species.In moths,sex pheromone communication starts with male attraction to compounds emitted by females;only a few species act in the reverse.However,how the pheromones that are emitted by both sexes co-regulate and coordinate mate finding and mating remains unknown.Here,we identified both the male and female pheromones of Eastern Grass Veneer moth,Agriphila aeneociliella(Lepidoptera:Crambidae),and demonstrated their efficiency in manipulating behavioral responses of the opposite sex.Combining data from analysis of gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,and olfactory behavior assays,the female pheromone of A.aeneociliella was identified as(Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienal and(Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate,while the male pheromone was determined to be 1-nonanal.Both the 2 individual components of the female pheromone and their binary mixture were significantly attractive to males,and the 1-nonanal male pheromone induced strong electrophysiological responses in females and induced attraction of females in a Y-tube olfactory test.Depending on the concentration of 1-nonanal,its addition to the binary mixture of the female pheromone either enhanced(10^(−3) or 10^(−2)μg/μL)or reduced(1μg/μL)the aphrodisiac effect of the mixture on males.In wind-tunnel bioassays,different concentrations of pheromones,including the binary mixture of female pheromone and the mixture of male and female pheromones,had significant effects on male behavior.Our findings suggested that the blend of both female and male pheromones plays a significant role in the sexual communication system in some moths.

Taxonomic review of the subfamily Schoenobiinae(Lepidoptera:Pyraloidea:Crambidae) from China

The taxonomy of the Chinese Schoenobiinae is revised. In total, 12 genera and 49 species are recognized. This paper presents keys to the genera and species, illustrations of wing venation for each genus, and line drawings of genitalia of most species. Two new species, namely, Schoenobius scirpus sp.nov, and Ramila minima sp.nov., are described. The female of Scirpophaga adunctella Chen, Song, and Wu, 2006 is reported for the first time. Donacaula forficellus （Thunberg, 1794） reported by Wang （1980） is proven to be a misidentification orS. scirpus sp.nov. The diagnostic characteristics of Schoenobiinae and the taxonomic status of some genera are discussed. Acropentias, Leechia, Brihaspa, and Promacrochilo are suggested to be removed from the subfamily because these genera do not share any synapomorphic characters with Schoenobiinae.

Review of the genus Eugauria Snellen(Lepidoptera:Crambidae:Musotiminae) in China,with descriptions of two new species

Three species of the genus Eugauria Snellen are reported, in which two species are described as new to science, named E. arcuosa Chen ＆ Wu, sp. nov. and E. crenata Chen ＆ Wu, sp. nov. The adults and genitalia structures of all species are described and illustrated. A key to the species of the genus is provided.