Unique neural coding of crucial versus irrelevant plant odors in a hawkmoth.

ABSTRACT: The sense of smell is pivotal for nocturnal moths to locate feeding and oviposition sites. However, these crucial resources are often rare and their bouquets are intermingled with volatiles emanating from surrounding 'background' plants. Here, we asked if the olfactory system of female hawkmoths, Manduca sexta, could differentiate between crucial and background cues. To answer this question, we collected nocturnal headspaces of numerous plants in a natural habitat of M. sexta. We analyzed the chemical composition of these headspaces and used them as stimuli in physiological experiments at the antenna and in the brain. The intense odors of floral nectar sources evoked strong responses in virgin and mated female moths, most likely enabling the localization of profitable flowers

SUBMITTER: Bisch-Knaden S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9142141 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature