Sex pheromones of two Asian moths (Creatonotos transiens, C. gangis; Lepidoptera--Arctiidae): behavior, morphology, chemistry and electrophysiology.

Two sympatric species of Asian arctiid moths (Creatonotos spp.) use a sequential, dual luring and mating system. After sunset males pneumatically expand their coremata from a cavity between the abdominal sternites 7 and 8 and release their pheromone. They attract other males and thus, scent-emitting male groups may develop. About 30 min later females are attracted to the calling males. Upon contact with a female the male's corema deflates and mating follows. After 1-2 h the male calling subsides and now the remaining virgin females continue to emit their pheromone bouquet from internal, tubular glands located in the dorsal part of the abdomen, rostrad from tergite 8/9. This attracts males and further matings occur.- The coremata are huge, pneumatically eversible organs composed of two pairs of tubes, up to 37 mm long, each covered by ca. 3000 scent hairs (scales). There is a giant epidermal (trichogen) gland cell at the base of each hair. One large corema may contain up to 0.5 mg of the pheromone, hydroxydanaidal. The internal, tubular female glands are antler shaped; their air-filled lumen is ventilated by abdominal pumping. The major components of the female attractant are (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-heneicosatriene and (Z,Z)-2 (2,5-octadienyl)-3-undecyloxirane with different ratios in the two species. One of the minor components, common to both species, is (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene. Only the male antennae possess specialized receptor cells for the female attractants; other antennal cells of both sexes respond to the male pheromone.