Modulation of sex pheromone perception in female moths of the eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana by altosid

Topical application of 10 μg of Altosid, a juvenile hormone analogue to adult female moths of the spruce budworm significantly reduced their electroantennogram responses to their own synthetic female sex pheromone provided the EAG recordings were performed at least 10–15 hr after JHA treatment. Newly emerged moths were more sensitive to JHA treatment than older moths. Acetone-treated moths (control) showed an increase in EAG response to sex pheromone with increasing age. These age related responses of moths to their sex pheromone and their reduction by Altosid treatment are discussed in terms of endogenous JH titres.