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Insects
Special Issues
Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects
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Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Behavior and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 17074

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ally Rachel Harari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Interests: ecology of sex; chemical ecology; pheromones; sexual communication; sexual behavior
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Emily R. Burdfield-Steel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: chemical ecology; sexual selection; communication; pheromones; mating system evolution

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

For sexual reproduction to occur, sperm and ova need to meet in a certain location and time. Ecology, as the interplay between natural and sexual selection and the environment, strongly affects the patterns of sexual behavior that we see in nature. Individuals must adapt to both their environment, and the community they share it with, in order to maximize their chances of reproduction. The diversity of mating systems and sexual communication modes in insects across taxa are intriguing, and in many species, even small mismatches in timing or the mode of information transfer can result in a failure to mate, while overlap in these traits between species may lead to costly interspecific mating mistakes. This issue focuses on the effect of ecology on sexual behavior and communication in insects. 

Prof. Ally Rachel Harari
Dr. Emily R. Burdfield-Steel
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sexual ecology
  • sexual communication
  • chemical communication
  • reproductive tactics
  • environmental effect

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 148 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue: Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects
by Emily R. Burdfield-Steel and Ally Rachel Harari
Insects 2021, 12(2), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020137 - 5 Feb 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2104
Abstract
Sexual reproduction places constraints on both the place and time in which individuals can reproduce, as the sperm and ova need to meet in a certain location within a specific time frame for successful reproduction [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects)

Research

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8 pages, 1576 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Wind Speed on Male Potato Aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Responses to Primary Host Plant Volatiles and Female Sex Pheromone
by W. Marie Alexander, Benjamin D. Rubin and Jeremy N. McNeil
Insects 2022, 13(4), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040312 - 23 Mar 2022
Viewed by 2196
Abstract
In fall, alate males of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), migrate from their summer (secondary) host plants, such as potatoes, to primary host plants, such as roses, where they mate with wingless oviparae who produce the overwintering egg stage. Males are weak [...] Read more.
In fall, alate males of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), migrate from their summer (secondary) host plants, such as potatoes, to primary host plants, such as roses, where they mate with wingless oviparae who produce the overwintering egg stage. Males are weak fliers and generally walk towards a pheromone source under windy conditions, so we tested the hypothesis that upwind walking behaviour in response to wind velocity would be affected by the volatile cues present. We compared male responses to the odour of a rugosa rose cutting alone and to the combination of host plant volatiles and the female sex pheromone under a range of wind speeds in a laboratory walking bioassay. The proportion of males responding decreased as the wind speed increased, but at all wind velocities, the responses to the combined odours were higher than to the host plant alone. However, at any given wind velocity, the speed at which responding aphids moved was not influenced by the odour source. These findings support the idea that host plant volatiles serve as long-distance cues for males and that the female sex pheromone is used once on the host plant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects)
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9 pages, 552 KiB  
Article
Sex Pheromone of the Introduced Pine Sawfly, Diprion similis, Revisited to Define a Useful Monitoring Lure: Deviating Chiral Composition and Behavioural Responses Compared to Earlier Reports
by Olle Anderbrant, D. Barry Lyons, Joakim Bång, Erik Hedenström and Hans-Erik Högberg
Insects 2021, 12(10), 886; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12100886 - 29 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1781
Abstract
Extracts of Diprion similis females contained about 15 ng of the sex pheromone precursor 3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol per female. After derivatisation with (S)-2-acetoxypropanoyl chloride, we found that the major stereoisomer in the extract was (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol. Small amounts [...] Read more.
Extracts of Diprion similis females contained about 15 ng of the sex pheromone precursor 3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol per female. After derivatisation with (S)-2-acetoxypropanoyl chloride, we found that the major stereoisomer in the extract was (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol. Small amounts of other stereoisomers of 3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol were also identified in the extract, namely 1% of (2R,3S,7S), 0.3% (2R,3R,7R) and 0.4% of (2R,3R,7S). An unknown fifth substance showed a very similar spectrum to 3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol, both in SIM and full scan mode. None of the earlier suggested behavioural synergistic isomers ((2S,3S,7S), (2S,3S,7R) and (2S,3R,7S)) were detected in the extracts. In field tests in Ontario, Canada, the earlier identified main pheromone component, viz. the propanoate of (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol, was tested alone and in combination with other stereoisomers, earlier reported to be synergistic. No synergistic effects were detected and the threo four-isomer blend was as attractive as the pure main compound. Thus, one of the few examples of a diprionid sawfly using more than one substance in its sex pheromone could not be confirmed. The results also suggest that monitoring programs can use the more easily synthesized threo-blend without losing efficiency. Furthermore, the study suggests that other diprionid pheromones may benefit from a reinvestigation, to clarify possible synergistic effects of stereoisomers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects)
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21 pages, 2401 KiB  
Article
Juvenile Experience with Male Cues Triggers Cryptic Choice Mechanisms in Adult Female Redback Spiders
by Maydianne C. B. Andrade, Aiswarya Baskaran, Maria Daniela Biaggio and Maria Modanu
Insects 2021, 12(9), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12090825 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2909
Abstract
Female choice may be linked to population density if the expected encounter rates with potential mates affects choosiness (the energy and risk engaged to express mate preferences). Choosiness should covary with male availability, which could be assessed using the social cues available during [...] Read more.
Female choice may be linked to population density if the expected encounter rates with potential mates affects choosiness (the energy and risk engaged to express mate preferences). Choosiness should covary with male availability, which could be assessed using the social cues available during development. We tested whether the exposure of juvenile females to cues of male density affected the mechanisms of choosiness of adult Latrodectus hasselti spiders in two experiments simulating natural contexts. The juvenile females were exposed to (1) volatile chemicals from two densities of adult males (airborne cues), and (2) tactile, vibrational and chemical cues from adult males or other females (cohabitation cues). As adults, the females mated readily, regardless of the treatment, but there was strong evidence for post-copulatory mechanisms of choosiness in females exposed to cues of high male availability. These included abbreviated matings (in both experiments), cannibalism of the males before the mating was complete (cohabitation), and, remarkably, a reduction in the successful placement of internal sperm plugs (cohabitation). These shifts decrease the likelihood that the first mate would monopolize paternity if the female chose to mate again. We conclude that female choosiness may impose a strong selection on males despite the high mating rates, and these effects can hinge on the cues of male availability detected by juveniles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects)
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9 pages, 1043 KiB  
Article
Effects of Delayed Mating on Mating Performance and Reproductive Fitness of the Willow Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) under Laboratory Conditions
by Lvquan Zhao, Zheng Liu, Yuqun Lin and Shouzhu Liu
Insects 2021, 12(6), 481; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060481 - 21 May 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2219
Abstract
Age at mating is one of the most important factors that affect mating selection, sexual performance, and fecundity. We studied the effects of mating age on the mating performance and reproductive fitness of Plagiodera versicolora Laicharting, a serious pest of poplar and willow, [...] Read more.
Age at mating is one of the most important factors that affect mating selection, sexual performance, and fecundity. We studied the effects of mating age on the mating performance and reproductive fitness of Plagiodera versicolora Laicharting, a serious pest of poplar and willow, by measuring the time from pairing to successful mating, mating duration, fecundity, hatching probability, and female lifespan. Delayed mating of females and males significantly prolonged the time from pairing to successful mating and the mating duration, but had no effect on the duration of the egg-laying period. Delayed mating of females did not significantly affect fecundity or egg hatching, but significantly prolonged the female lifespan. Although delayed mating of males had a significant negative impact on egg hatching, it had no effect on the lifespan or fecundity of females. These results indicate that delayed mating affects the mating performance of P. versicolora, although it has a limited effect on reproductive fitness. This suggests that delayed mating is unlikely to contribute to the success of mating disruption, when applied to control P. versicolora. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects)
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13 pages, 1367 KiB  
Article
Environment and Local Substrate Availability Effects on Harem Formation in a Polygynous Bark Beetle
by Melissa J. Griffin and Matthew R. E. Symonds
Insects 2021, 12(2), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020098 - 24 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2331
Abstract
Many forms of polygyny are observed across different animal groups. In some species, groups of females may remain with a single male for breeding, often referred to as “harem polygyny”. The environment and the amount of habitat available for feeding, mating and oviposition [...] Read more.
Many forms of polygyny are observed across different animal groups. In some species, groups of females may remain with a single male for breeding, often referred to as “harem polygyny”. The environment and the amount of habitat available for feeding, mating and oviposition may have an effect on the formation of harems. We aimed to determine how the surrounding environment (a harvested or unharvested pine plantation) and availability of local substrate affect the harems of the bark beetle, Ips grandicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). In a harvested pine plantation with large amounts of available habitat, the population density of these beetles is much higher than in unharvested plantations. We found the number of females per male to be significantly greater in the harvested plantation than the unharvested one. Additionally, the amount of substrate available in the immediate local vicinity (the number of logs in replicate piles) also influences the number of beetles attracted to a log and size of individual harems. We also examined how females were distributing themselves in their galleries around the males’ nuptial chamber, as previous work has demonstrated the potential for competition between neighbouring females and their offspring. Females do not perform clumping, suggesting some avoidance when females make their galleries, but they also do not distribute themselves evenly. Female distribution around the male’s nuptial chamber appears to be random, and not influenced by other females or external conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects)
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Review

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19 pages, 339 KiB  
Review
Environmental Correlates of Sexual Signaling in the Heteroptera: A Prospective Study
by Eleanor H. Z. Gourevitch and David M. Shuker
Insects 2021, 12(12), 1079; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12121079 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2696
Abstract
Sexual selection is a major evolutionary process, shaping organisms in terms of success in competition for access to mates and their gametes. The study of sexual selection has provided rich empirical and theoretical literature addressing the ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences of [...] Read more.
Sexual selection is a major evolutionary process, shaping organisms in terms of success in competition for access to mates and their gametes. The study of sexual selection has provided rich empirical and theoretical literature addressing the ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences of competition for gametes. However, there remains a bias towards individual, species-specific studies, whilst broader, cross-species comparisons looking for wider-ranging patterns in sexual selection remain uncommon. For instance, we are still some ways from understanding why particular kinds of traits tend to evolve under sexual selection, and under what circumstances. Here we consider sexual selection in the Heteroptera, a sub-order of the Hemiptera, or true bugs. The latter is the largest of the hemimetabolous insect orders, whilst the Heteroptera itself comprises some 40,000-plus described species. We focus on four key sexual signaling modes found in the Heteroptera: chemical signals, acoustic signaling via stridulation, vibrational (substrate) signaling, and finally tactile signaling (antennation). We compare how these modes vary across broad habitat types and provide a review of each type of signal. We ask how we might move towards a more predictive theory of sexual selection, that links mechanisms and targets of sexual selection to various ecologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Sex and Sexual Communication in Insects)
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