Selected factors influencing neurohormonal regulation of sex pheromone production inHeliothis species.

Sex pheromone production and release in females ofHeliothis species exhibit a diel periodicity. Phermone production is controlled by a hormone, the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN). Release of PBAN to activate pheromone production follows a circadian rhythm. InH. zea females, mating terminates pheromone production. An unidentified hemolymph-borne factor is transferred from the male to the female during mating. It is speculated that this factor interacts with the release mechanism of PBAN to prevent further production of the pheromone following mating. Wild females ofH. phloxiphaga (reared from larvae collected in the field) did not produce or release the sex pheromone unless kept in association with the host plant. Pheromone production could be induced in these females by the injection of PBAN. It is suggested that a signal from the host plant is essential to trigger the release of PBAN to induce pheromone production.