EFFECTS OF ANTENNECTOMY AND A JUVENILE HORMONE ANALOG ON PHEROMONE PRODUCTION IN THE BOLL WEEVIL (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

Aggregation pheromone production by male boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman can be stimulated by both antennectomy and topical application of a juvenile hormone analog (JHA, methoprene). Since JHA decreases sensitivity of antennal olfactory receptors, its effects on pheromone production may possibly be by either stimulating release of some blood-borne factor or decreasing antennal input.