Canadian Forest Service Publications

The influence of smoke volatiles on sexual maturation and juvenile hormone biosynthesis in the black army cutworm, Actebia fennica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). 2000. Everaerts, C.; Cusson, M.; McNeil, J.N. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 30: 855-862.

Year: 2000

Issued by: Laurentian Forestry Centre

Catalog ID: 20454

Language: English

Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)

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Abstract

Outbreaks of the black army cutworm, Actebia fennica, are associated with recently burned sites, where larvae feed on early successional plants. In the present paper we show that smoke volatiles stimulate juvenile hormone biosynthesis in virgin females, resulting in a more rapid rate of oocyte maturation and a significant advance in the age of first calling (the release of the sex pheromone) compared to control females. The ecological implications of this physiological effect are discussed.