Paysandisia archon: Behavior, Ecology, and Communication

Abstract

This chapter on Paysandisia archon behavior, ecology, and communication is presented in three parts. The first part deals with reproductive behavior and the sex pheromone. In this section, mating behavior is described with a consideration of optimal age and diel periodicity. Early observations have shown that mating can occur a few hours after adult molting, from noon to the beginning of the afternoon, according to timing of emergence. The female is described as flying close to perching males and the pair then fly together before mating. The male exhibits a scratching movement with the mid-legs while the female extrudes the abdominal tips. Putative sex pheromone production is discussed in relation to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies, electroantennography data, and chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of extracts from females and males. The second part deals with insect-plant interactions. Oviposition behavior is described with respect to timing and the different events leading to host choice. Field observations are reported, showing that the female is attracted by several palm species, and egg-laying behavior after probing the host plant is described. The third part describes the visual system by means of electrophysiological and anatomical analyses, as well as spectral analysis of visual cues. Thus, the possible roles of P. archon eyes and ocelli in specific tasks, such as partner recognition, navigation, and host identification, are discussed. The visual system is generally suitable for diurnal activity, showing good resolving power and excellent color vision, probably tuned to the recognition of conspecifics.