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Early-exposure to new sex pheromone blends alters mate preference in female butterflies and in their offspring

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  • Emilie Dion

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Li Xian Pui

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Katie Weber

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Antónia Monteiro

    (National University of Singapore
    Yale-NUS-College)

Abstract

While the diversity of sex pheromone communication systems across insects is well documented, the mechanisms that lead to such diversity are not well understood. Sex pheromones constitute a species-specific system of sexual communication that reinforces interspecific reproductive isolation. When odor blends evolve, the efficacy of male-female communication becomes compromised, unless preference for novel blends also evolves. We explore odor learning as a possible mechanism leading to changes in sex pheromone preferences in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Our experiments reveal mating patterns suggesting that mating bias for new blends can develop following a short learning experience, and that this maternal experience impacts the mating outcome of offspring without further exposure. We propose that odor learning can be a key factor in the evolution of sex pheromone blend recognition and in chemosensory speciation.

Suggested Citation

  • Emilie Dion & Li Xian Pui & Katie Weber & Antónia Monteiro, 2020. "Early-exposure to new sex pheromone blends alters mate preference in female butterflies and in their offspring," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13801-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13801-2
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