Phytoparasitica (2003) 31 (3) - The function of the ...

D. Ofer, E. Dunkelblum and Z. Mendel (2003)
The function of the Matsucoccus josephi sex pheromone in the sexual and breeding behavior of the predatory bug Elatophilus hebraicus
Phytoparasitica 31 (3)
Abstracts 20th Conference of the Entomological Society of Israel, Feb. 11-12, 2003
Abstract: We examined the role of the sex pheromone of the pine bast scale Matsucoccus josephi (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae) in the intraspecific communication of its predator, Elatophilus hebraicus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae). The sexual attraction and courtship behavior of the predator were studied in arenas with and without the sex pheromone of its prey. Observations were carried out in an Aleppo pine forest. The arenas were 20 x 20 cm bark area at 150 cm above ground, after the removal of the scales and the attachment of a dispenser impregnated with 50 µg M. josephi sex pheromone at the arena center. Laboratory observations were conducted in petri dishes. Food searching activity and courting or mating attempts could hardly be detected in the absence of the pheromone. In arenas baited with the pheromone dispensers, intensive sexual activity was noted, as displayed by the high numbers of mating couples, mating attempts between males, as well as frequent attacks on mating couples. The ovaries of females attracted to the pheromone were undeveloped, bearing an average of 0.3 mature eggs. The ovaries of such females, which were collected from the arena before mating and fed in the laboratory, contained an average of 16.3 and 26.3 eggs after 4 days and 7 days, respectively. Similar results were obtained with laboratory-reared females. Ovaries of virgin females reared in the laboratory remained undeveloped for at least 9 days. Females did not respond to courtship attempts if their ovaries held an average of > 3.5 visible eggs. It seems that, in E. hebraicus, the role of its prey's sex pheromone is a congregation kairomone and sexual stimulant. In the forest, while mating, the females tend to leave the pheromone arena with their mates. We suggest that the purpose of this behavior is to shorten the mating. In the laboratory, average mating in the presence of other males lasts 211 min, whereas an isolated couple mates during 56 min.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Zvi Mendel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
pheromones/attractants/traps
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Matsucoccus josephi
Elatophilus hebraicus (predator)	Matsucoccus josephi	Pine (Pinus)