Antennal olfactory receptivity of Achaea janata Linn. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to certain general plant volatiles-electrophysiological recording

Abstract

Receptivity to certain general plant volatiles in male and female moths of Achaea janata Linn. through their antennal olfactory system was studied using electroantennogram (EAG) technique. Among the 22 plant volatile chemicals used, primary alcohols and aldehydes elicited higher response which increased with the carbon numbers. Highest response was obtained with 7 carbon alcohel and aldehyde in both the sexes. Aldehydes caused relatively higher response than the correspending alcohols. Among the terpenoids, citral and geraniol elicited largest responses. Moths of 3rd scotophase (3-day old) were most receptive to all the plant volatiles tested. Overall, the male moths were more receptive to plant volatiles than the females, confirming the presence of more number of olfactory sensillae on the male antenna. Significant differences in EAG responses were pronounced only in 6-day old moths where females showed very little response. Differences in EAG threshold levels for the same set of stimuli in different age group insects could denote the differences in the physiological state of the insect overage.