Pheromone Reception in Moths: From Molecules to Behaviors

Abstract

Male moths detect and find their mates using species-specific sex pheromones emitted by conspecific females. Olfaction plays a vital role in this behavior. Since the first discovery of an insect sex pheromone from the silkmoth Bombyx mori, great efforts have been spent on understanding the sensing of the pheromones in vivo. Much progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that mediate chemoreception in insects in the past few decades. In this review, we focus on pheromone reception and detection in moths, from the molecular to the behavioral level. We trace the information pathway from the capture of pheromone by male antennae, binding and transportation to olfactory receptor neurons, receptor activation, signal transduction, molecule inactivation, through brain processing and behavioral response. We highlight the impact of recent studies and also provide our insights into pheromone processing.

Published in

Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
2015, volume: 130, pages: 109-128
Title: Molecular Basis of Olfaction
Publisher: Academic Press

SLU Authors

• Walker, William

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Zoology
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pmbts.2014.11.005
• ISBN: 978-0-12-802912-1

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/80664