SEX PHEROMONE RESPONSES OF CHORISTONEURA SPP. AND THEIR HYBRIDS (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

Abstract

Field studies in Ontario, Oregon, and California on interspecific attraction and inhibition among the coniferophagous species of Choristoneura (the spruce budworm and its allies) confirmed specific pheromonal differences among the species. Of the three species that are mutually attractive and whose males are attracted by blends of trans- and cis-11-tetradecenal, C. fumiferana, C. biennis, and C. occidentalis, catches of C. fumiferana males in traps baited with C. fumiferana females were significantly reduced by the presence of females from a second group in which it is believed the females produce trans-11-tetradecenyl acetate. Catches of C. occidentalis males by C. occidentalis females were not affected in this way. F₁ hybrids and backcrosses between an aldehyde-producing species and an acetate-producing species produced females that were attractive to males of one or other of the parent species, although some females were not attractive to either. Individual females never attracted males of both parent species, and of those that were attractive, more were attractive to males of the aldehyde species than to males of the acetate species. The results suggest sex-controlled inheritance and expression.