Individual variation in pheromone composition in Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): how valid is the basis for designating "pheromone strains"?

Abstract

Previous investigations into the sex-attractant pheromone blend, released by male Nezara viridula, have led to the proposal that “pheromone strains” can be identified based on variation in the mean ratio of trans- and cis-epoxides of (Z) alpha-bisabolene among populations from different countries. We investigated the ratios of these epoxides from Australian N. viridula collected from individual bugs of two different regions. Our evidence suggests that the variability used to delineate “pheromone strains” is present even within a single population. We conclude that further behavioural investigations are required to ascertain the functional significance of the components that make up the pheromone blend to understand better the species-specific signals that enable individuals in nature to recognize and locate an appropriate mating partner.