Journal of Insect Behavior (2012) 25, 287-296

Rebeccah A. Waterworth, Richard A. Redak and Jocelyn G. Millar (2012)
Probable site of sex pheromone emission in female vine and obscure mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
Journal of Insect Behavior 25 (3), 287-296
Abstract: In laboratory bioassays, male Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) and Planococcus ficus Signoret were attracted to body sections of females that included the metathoracic legs. Extracts of the metathoracic legs of female P. ficus were much more attractive to males than extracts of the other legs, and males exhibited copulatory behavior towards these extracts. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of translucent pores on the coxae of mature but not immature females. Collectively, the data suggest that the female-produced sex pheromones of these species are released from the metathoracic legs, probably from the translucent pores.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Richard A. Redak, Jocelyn G. Millar

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pseudococcus viburni
	Planococcus ficus