Electroantennogram Responses from Parts of Antennae of the American Cockroach

Abstract

Electroantennograms (EAG) were recorded from the distal, middle and basal parts of the antennae of the adult male and female American cockroach [P. americana]. Stimulating chemicals employed were 3 sex pheromone mimics [(-)-bornyl acetate, (+)-trans-verbenyl acetate and germacrene-D] and a general odor (nerol). EAG responses produced from the male antennae were greater than those from females at any part of the antenna in all compounds. Among the antennal regions, the middle region was stimulated with the strongest EAG response in the male, whereas the distal region was most strongly stimulated in the female with any stimulus. From the above EAG results, the distribution of olfactory sensilla on the antennae is discussed along with the observations of morphologists.