Skip to main content
Log in

Contact Pheromones as Mate Recognition Cues of Four Species of Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

  • Published:
Journal of Insect Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that contact phermones mediate mate recognition for four species of longhorned beetles, Neoclytus mucronatus mucronatus (F.), Megacyllene caryae (Gahan), Megacyllene robiniae (Forster), and Plectrodera scalator (F.). All tested males of all four species attempted to mate with females only after contacting them with their antennae. From 66.7 to 80% of tested males attempted to mate with hexane-extracted dead females treated with 0.1–1.0 female equivalents of conspecific female extracts, confirming that nonpolar compounds on the cuticle of females are essential for mate recognition in all four species. These findings are further evidence of the critical role of contact pheromones in mating systems of longhorned beetles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akutsu, K., and Kuboki, M. (1983). Analysis of mating behavior of udo longicorn beetle, Acalolepta luxuriosa Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Jap. J. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 27: 247–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomquist, G. J., Tillman-Wall, J. A., Guo, L., Quilici, D. R., Gu, P., and Schal, C. (1996). Hydrocarbon and hydrocarbon derived sex pheromones in insects: biochemistry and endocrine regulation. In Stanley-Samuelson, D. W., and Nelson, D. R. (Eds.), Insect Lipids: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, pp. 317–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dejia, L., Masahiko, T., and Nacashima, T. (1999). Mechanisms of mating action of Anoplophora glabripennis (Motsch.). J. Beijing Forest. Univ. 21: 33–36 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dusham, E. J. (1921). The painted hickory borer. Bull. Cornell Univ. Agr. Ext. Stn. 407: 175–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukaya, M., Yasuda, T., Wakamura, S., and Honda, H. (1996). Reproductive biology of the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Pascoe) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). III. Identification of contact sex pheromone on female body surface. J. Chem. Ecol. 22: 259–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukaya, M., Wakamura, S., Yasuda, T., Senda, S., Omata, T., and Fukusaki, E. (1997). Sex pheromonal activity of geometric and optical isomers of synthetic contact pheromone to males of the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Pascoe) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Appl. Entomol. Zool. 32: 654–656.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukaya, M., Akino, T., Yasuda, T., Wakamura, S., Satoda, S., and Senda, S. (2000). Hydrocarbon components in contact sex pheromone of the white-spotted longicorn beetle, Anoplophora malasiaca (Thomson) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and pheromonal activity of synthetic hydrocarbons. Entomol. Sci. 3: 211–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs, A. G. (1998). Water-proofing properties of cuticular lipids. Am. Zool. 38: 471–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginzel, M. D., Blomquist, G. J., Millar, J. G., and Hanks, L. M. (2003). The role of contact pheromones in mate location and recognition in Xylotrechus colonus. J. Chem. Ecol. 29: 533–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, S. K., Stewart, Z., Adams, S., and Trimble, A. (1996). Body size, male aggression, and male mating success in the cottonwood borer Plectrodera scalator (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). J. Insect Behav. 9: 719–728.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanks, L. M. (1999). Influence of the larval host plant on reproductive strategies of cerambycid beetles. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 44: 483–505.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanks, L. M., Millar, J. G., and Paine, T. D. (1996). Mating behavior of the eucalyptus longhorned borer (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and the adaptive significance of long “horns.” J. Insect Behav. 9: 383–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harman, D. M., and Harman, A. L. (1987). Distribution pattern of adult locust borers, (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) on nearby goldenrod, Solidago sp. (Asteraceae), at a forest-field edge. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 89: 706–710.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harman, D. M., Van Tyne, M. A., and Thompson, W. A. (1985). Comparison of locust borer Megacyllene robiniae Forster (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) attacks on coal and strip-mined lands and lands not mined. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 78: 50–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heintz, A. (1925). Lepturinernas blombesök och sekundära könskaraktärer. Entomol. Tidskr. 46: 21–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, A. L. (1981). Differential male mating success in the white spotted sawyer, Monochamus scutellatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 74: 180–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, G., Takabayashi, J., Takahashi, S., and Tabata, K. (1992). Function of pheromones in the mating behavior of the Japanese pine sawyer beetle Monochamus alternatus Hope. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 27: 489–497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, G., Takabayashi, J., Takahashi, S., and Tabata, K. (1993). Function of contact pheromone in the mating behavior of the cryptomeria bark borer, Semanotus japonicus Lacordaire (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Appl. Entomol. Zool. 28: 525–535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lingafelter, S. W. (1998). Observations of interactive behavior in Parandra glabra (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Entomol. News 109: 75–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michelsen, A. (1966). The sexual behavior of some longhorned beetles (Col., Cerambycidae). Entomol. Meddelelser 34: 329–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okamoto, H. (1984). Behavior of the adult Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope. In Dropkin, V. Proceedings, United States—Japan Seminar, The Resistance of Pines Against Pine Wilt Disease, May 1984, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC, pp. 82–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R., and Rohlf, F. J. (1995). Biometry, 3rd ed., Freeman, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, J. D. (1979). Cottonwood borer (Plectrodera scalator)—A guide to its biology, damage, and control. USDA Forest Serv. Res. Pap. SO-157.

  • Wang, Q. (1998). Evidence for a contact female sex pheromone in Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae). Coleopt. Bull. 52: 363–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Q., Chen, L., Li, J., and Yin, X. (1996). Mating behavior of Phytoecia rufiventris Gautier (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). J. Insect Behav. 9: 47–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wollerman, E. H. (1970). The locust borer. USDA Forest Servest Forest Pest Leaflet 71.

  • Yanega, D. (1996). Field Guide to Northeastern Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Manual 6, Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lawrence M. Hanks.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ginzel, M.D., Hanks, L.M. Contact Pheromones as Mate Recognition Cues of Four Species of Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Journal of Insect Behavior 16, 181–187 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023911701159

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023911701159

Navigation