| evolution of multicomponent pheromone signals in small ermine moths involves a single fatty-acyl reductase gene. | fatty-acyl coa reductases (far) convert fatty acids into fatty alcohols in pro- and eukaryotic organisms. in the lepidoptera, members of the far gene family serve in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones involved in mate communication. we used a group of closely related species, the small ermine moths (lepidoptera: yponomeutidae) as a model to investigate the role of fars in the biosynthesis of complex pheromone blends. homology-based molecular cloning in three yponomeuta species led to the identif ... | 2010 | 20534481 |
| functional flexibility as a prelude to signal diversity?: role of a fatty acyl reductase in moth pheromone evolution. | sex pheromones are the hallmark of reproductive behavior in moths. mature females perform the task of mate signaling and release bouquets of odors that attract conspecific males at long range. the pheromone chemistry follows a relatively minimal design but still the combinatorial action of a handful of specialized pheromone production enzymes has resulted in remarkably diverse sexual signals that subtly vary in structure and in number and ratio of components. in a recent article,1 we showed that ... | 2010 | 21331247 |
| molecular phylogeny of the small ermine moth genus yponomeuta (lepidoptera, yponomeutidae) in the palaearctic. | the small ermine moth genus yponomeuta (lepidoptera, yponomeutidae) contains 76 species that are specialist feeders on hosts from celastraceae, rosaceae, salicaceae, and several other plant families. the genus is a model for studies in the evolution of phytophagous insects and their host-plant associations. here, we reconstruct the phylogeny to provide a solid framework for these studies, and to obtain insight into the history of host-plant use and the biogeography of the genus. | 2010 | 20360968 |
| olfactory receptors on the maxillary palps of small ermine moth larvae: evolutionary history of benzaldehyde sensitivity. | in lepidopterous larvae the maxillary palps contain a large portion of the sensory equipment of the insect. yet, knowledge about the sensitivity of these cells is limited. in this paper a morphological, behavioral, and electrophysiological investigation of the maxillary palps of yponomeuta cagnagellus (lepidoptera: yponomeutidae) is presented. in addition to thermoreceptors, co(2) receptors, and gustatory receptors, evidence is reported for the existence of two groups of receptor cells sensitive ... | 2007 | 17372741 |