• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2022

Moths have a well-developed sex pheromone communication system. Male moths exhibit an extremely sensitive and selective sex pheromone detection system so that they can detect the sex pheromone produced by conspecific females and locate them for successful mating. Using the pheromone detection system, male moths display characteristic stereotypic behavioral responses, flying upwind to follow intermittent filamentous pheromone strands in pheromone plume. The chemical composition of female sex pheromone in moths, typically comprised of multiple compounds, is species-specific. Male moths contain specialized pheromone receptor neurons on the antennae to detect conspecific sex pheromone accurately, and distinguish it from the pheromones produced by other species. The signals from pheromone receptor neurons are integrated and induce relevant behavior from the male moths. Male moths also contain olfactory sensory neurons in pheromone sensilla, specialized for pheromone-related behavioral antagonist compounds, which can enhance discrimination between conspecific and heterospecific pheromones. Here we review reports on the sex pheromone detection system in male moths and their related responses, and suggest future research direction.