Early-exposure to new sex pheromone blends alters mate preference in female butterflies and in their offspring.

ABSTRACT: While the diversity of sex pheromone communication systems across insects is well documented, the mechanisms that lead to such diversity are not well understood. Sex pheromones constitute a species-specific system of sexual communication that reinforces interspecific reproductive isolation. When odor blends evolve, the efficacy of male-female communication becomes compromised, unless preference for novel blends also evolves. We explore odor learning as a possible mechanism leading to changes in sex pheromone preferences in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Our experiments reveal mating patterns suggesting that mating bias for new blends can develop following a short learning experience, and that this maternal experience impacts the mating outcome of offspring without further exposure. We pro

SUBMITTER: Dion E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6940390 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature