灰茶尺蠖成虫触角及幼虫头部感器超微结构

【目的】明确灰茶尺蠖Ectropis grisescens成虫触角及幼虫头部感器的种类、形态、数量和分布,以探讨灰茶尺蠖的行为机制。【方法】利用扫描电镜技术观察灰茶尺蠖雌、雄成虫触角和5龄幼虫头部感器的超微结构。【结果】灰茶尺蠖成虫触角上分布有8种感器,分别是栓锥形感器、耳形感器、毛形感器(Ⅰ-Ⅳ)、B?hm氏鬃毛、腔锥形感器(Ⅰ和Ⅱ)、鳞形感器、锥形感器(Ⅰ和Ⅱ)和刺形感器。其中,栓锥形感器仅分布在雌蛾触角上,耳形感器、毛形感器(STⅠ-Ⅲ)仅分布在雄虫触角上。5龄幼虫触角上着生1个栓锥形感器、1个锥形感器和2个刺形感器;上唇着生有6对刺形感器,内唇着生有3对刺形感器和1对指形感器;上颚基部外侧着生有2个刺形感器;下颚及下颚须着生有5个刺形感器、9个锥形感器和2个栓锥形感器;下唇须着生有1个锥形感器和1个刺形感器;吐丝器前端着生有1对刺形感器。【结论】灰茶尺蠖雌、雄成虫触角感器存在性二型性,且雄虫上感器种类和数量较多,据此推测雄虫感受寄主植物或性信息素的能力较强;幼虫头部感器具有嗅觉和味觉功能,在其判断食物的种类和适应性等生态行为中发挥重要作用。     

不同茶园灰茶尺蠖和茶尺蠖对5种杀虫剂的抗药性监测

为了明确茶园暴食性害虫灰茶尺蠖Ectropis grisescens和茶尺蠖E. obliqua抗药性现状,制定有效的防治措施,本研究采用浸叶法分别测定了5种茶园常用杀虫剂对5个地理种群灰茶尺蠖和2个地理种群茶尺蠖的抗药性。结果表明,不同茶园灰茶尺蠖和茶尺蠖对供试药剂的抗性水平存在差异：浙江兰溪、浙江金华、河南南阳地区的灰茶尺蠖种群和浙江杭州、浙江安吉的茶尺蠖种群对联苯菊酯产生了中高等抗性;浙江杭州的茶尺蠖种群对苦参碱的抗性达到中等水平,其余供试种群对苦参碱抗性处于敏感水平;所有供试种群对虫螨腈、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐和茚虫威这3种药剂的抗性均处于敏感水平。从化学防治的角度来看,目前茶园灰茶尺蠖和茶尺蠖对虫螨腈、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐和茚虫威敏感性高,抗性低,推荐合理科学使用,并避免长期使用单一农药。     

灰茶尺蠖和茶尺蠖绿色防控技术研究进展

灰茶尺蠖和茶尺蠖作为鳞翅目两个近缘种,是茶园最重要的两种害虫。目前化学农药仍是茶园防治尺蠖的重要手段,容易导致“3R”问题,不利于茶园的可持续发展。本文从农业防治、物理防治、生物防治、化学生态防治和化学防治五个方面就灰茶尺蠖和茶尺蠖的绿色防控进行了综述。强调加强茶园田间管理和尺蠖监测预警,合理布局茶树品种,强化保护利用茶园本土天敌,科学高效地协调使用核型多角体病毒、性诱、灯诱等技术,从而实现对灰茶尺蠖和茶尺蠖的绿色防控技术集成应用,减少其对茶树的危害,为茶园优质安全生产提供强有力的保障。     

柚木野螟成虫复眼外部形态和超微结构观察

【目的】柚木野螟Eutectona machaeralis主要取食危害珍贵树种柚木。本研究旨在观察研究柚木野螟成虫复眼的形态、组织结构和超微结构,分析其复眼结构特征,为更好了解该物种复杂的视觉行为与感光、趋光机制的关系奠定基础。【方法】运用光学显微镜以及扫描和透射电子显微镜技术观察了柚木野螟成虫复眼的形态、组织结构和超微结构。【结果】柚木野螟成虫复眼着生于头部触角基部,呈椭球形,属对称性复眼。雌、雄成虫复眼分别有2 300~2 755和1 950~2 316个小眼。小眼呈正六边形,表面密被角膜乳突,间隙偶有感觉毛。每个小眼由1个角膜、4个晶锥细胞、1对初级色素细胞,6个次级色素细胞、不同水平面分布的12个视网膜细胞和基膜等组成。沿小眼纵轴11个视网膜细胞的向心侧细胞膜特化成细丝状微绒毛,形成放射状排列的视小杆,组合呈融合型视杆;第12个视网膜细胞位于小眼基部。基膜上方,视网膜细胞和次级色素细胞末端膨大,以轴突形式穿过基底膜。【结论】柚木野螟复眼为典型的重叠像眼,雌、雄成虫小眼排列方式及内部结构无明显差异,但雌、雄虫小眼数量和大小具有明显的性二型现象。     

灰茶尺蠖核型多角体病毒对灰茶尺蠖的致病性研究

采取室内毒力测定和田间防效调查相结合的方法,对灰茶尺蠖核型多角体病毒(Ectropis grisescensnucleopolyhedrovir-us)的致病力进行了研究。毒力测定结果表明,该病毒对2龄灰茶尺蠖幼虫的剂量对数-死亡机率值回归方程为y=-0.8774 0.9498x,LC50=1.5417×106PIB.mL-1;田间用浓度为1×107、1.5×107和2×107PIB.mL-1的EgNPV防治灰茶尺蠖,防效分别达58.81%、89.51%和94.81%。     

茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖内共生菌Wolbachia的分子检测及序列分析

【目的】对茶尺蠖Ectropis obliqua及其近缘种灰茶尺蠖E.grisescens体内共生菌Wolbachia进行分子鉴定,确定两者体内Wolbachia的感染率及其进化地位,为进一步探讨其对茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖的潜在影响提供科学依据。【方法】采用Wolbachia的16S r RNA、fts Z和wsp基因特异性引物,通过PCR扩增法检测了我国3个茶尺蠖地理种群(浙江杭州、余杭和江苏无锡)和3个灰茶尺蠖地理种群(浙江新昌、湖北浠水和江西南昌)中Wolbachia的感染情况,并进行测序和序列分析。【结果】茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖都感染了Wolbachia,灰茶尺蠖的Wolbachia感染率为100%,但茶尺蠖的Wolbachia感染率在22%~95%,且PCR产物电泳得到的条带微弱。wsp序列在茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖种间、种内无差异;但16S r RNA序列在茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖种间、种内差异为0.362%~0.727%之间;茶尺蠖样本未成功扩增出fts Z序列,灰茶尺蠖样本获得2条fts Z基因序列差异为1.647%。基于Wolbachia的16S r RNA和wsp基因构建的系统发育树表明,本研究中茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖种群所感染的Wolbachia全部属于B组的Pip亚组。【结论】茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖均被B组Pip亚组的Wolbachia感染,但感染率相差很大,这为研究Wolbachia对茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖生物学及生态学的影响奠定了基础。     

茶核·苏云菌悬浮剂对灰茶尺蠖的田间防控应用

【目的】茶尺蠖核型多角体病毒EcobNPV是一种重要的昆虫病原微生物,可侵染茶尺蠖Ectropis obliqua和灰茶尺蠖Ectropisgrisescens2种宿主。为探明茶尺蠖核型多角体病毒制剂的田间应用技术,对影响防效的3个因子喷施方式、剂量和虫龄进行研究。【方法】采用植保无人机和人工喷施2种喷施方式,比较茶核·苏云菌悬浮剂（1×104 PIB·2 000 IU/μL）防治灰茶尺蠖的效果;设置75、150和375 mL/667 m²3种剂量,比较茶核·苏云菌悬浮剂对灰茶尺蠖的防治效果;并比较其对灰茶尺蠖1龄、2龄和3龄不同虫龄的防治效果。【结果】在相同剂量下,用植保无人机和人工喷施病毒制剂对灰茶尺蠖的总防效分别为69.0%和67.6%,两者无显著差异;在75、150和375 mL/667 m23种剂量,比较茶核·苏云菌悬浮剂对灰茶尺蠖的防治效果;并比较其对灰茶尺蠖1龄、2龄和3龄不同虫龄的防治效果。【结果】在相同剂量下,用植保无人机和人工喷施病毒制剂对灰茶尺蠖的总防效分别为69.0%和67.6%,两者无显著差异;在75、150和375 mL/667 m² 3种剂量下病毒制剂对灰茶尺蠖的防效差异显著,其中375 mL/667 m2 3种剂量下病毒制剂对灰茶尺蠖的防效差异显著,其中375 mL/667 m²剂量下的防效最高,150 mL/667 m2剂量下的防效最高,150 mL/667 m²其次,150 mL/667 m2其次,150 mL/667 m²和375 mL/667 m2和375 mL/667 m²剂量对灰茶尺蠖的总防效均在90%以上;病毒制剂对灰茶尺蠖1龄、2龄和3龄幼虫的防效分别为93.3%、78.7%和67.8%,对1龄幼虫的防效显著高于3龄。【结论】茶核·苏云菌悬浮剂防治灰茶尺蠖可选用植保无人机喷施,剂量可选用150-375 mL/667 m2剂量对灰茶尺蠖的总防效均在90%以上;病毒制剂对灰茶尺蠖1龄、2龄和3龄幼虫的防效分别为93.3%、78.7%和67.8%,对1龄幼虫的防效显著高于3龄。【结论】茶核·苏云菌悬浮剂防治灰茶尺蠖可选用植保无人机喷施,剂量可选用150-375 mL/667 m²,以1龄幼虫期喷施防效为最佳。     

二个不同发育阶段茶银尺蠖雌蛾性腺超微结构的比较研究

本文利用扫描电镜和透射电镜分别对不同发育阶段的茶银尺蠖Scopula subpunctaria Herrich-Schaeffer雌蛾性信息素腺体进行了观察和研究,对探索信息素的合成途径提供科学依据。结果表明,雌蛾性信息素腺体位于第8、9/10腹节的节间膜上,由其表皮下方的单层上皮细胞组成,并几乎覆盖整个节间膜形成一个近乎完整的环状。成熟雌蛾(3日龄)性腺的超微结构照片显示性腺细胞具有发达的微绒毛、质膜内褶、大量的脂滴、细胞间的运输孔道以及细胞桥粒等结构组织。而在未成熟雌蛾(羽化5h内)性腺细胞内,这些结构均明显缺失或发育不完整。     

一种灰茶尺蠖高效引诱剂的研制及其田间防效评价

为研制有效诱杀重要害虫灰茶尺蠖雌、雄成虫的性信息素/植物源信息物复合型性诱剂,选源自茶梢和茶花挥发物的30个主要成分,分别配成10^-6 g/mL、10^-4 g/mL和10^-2 g/mL液体石蜡溶液作味源,检测其引起1日龄灰茶尺蠖雌、雄成虫的EAG反应值。结果表明：①每种味源的3个剂量处理皆引起明显的EAG反应;随着味源浓度增加,EAG反应值显著增大;②引起的雌、雄成虫EAG反应值相近,差异不显著;③芳樟醇、反-2-己烯醛、顺-3-己烯-1-醇、己醇、苯乙醇和6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮的每个剂量处理引起强烈的EAG反应。将这6种EAG活性成分与灰茶尺蠖2个主要的性信息素成分Z, Z, Z-3, 6, 9-十八碳三烯和Z, Z-3, 9-6, 7-环氧-十八碳二烯配成数个备选的复合型性诱剂,载于羊毛毡细条上、塑封、制成诱芯,在茶园中检测其引诱活性,发现诱效最优的复合型性诱剂在每个诱芯上组成为：6种EAG活性成分各2 mg、Z, Z, Z-3, 6, 9-十八碳三烯0.4 mg、Z, Z-3, 9-6, 7-环氧-十八碳二烯0.6 mg、抗氧化剂——2, 6-二叔丁基-4-甲基苯酚1 mg、正己烷100 μL。此外,使用土黄、荧光黄、米黄、素馨黄、桔黄、土褐、墨绿、芽绿、草绿、荧光绿、天蓝、大红和纯白等13种色板诱杀灰茶尺蠖成虫,发现其偏嗜暗黄色,以土黄色效果最佳。遂将该诱芯载于土黄色粘板上组成诱捕器,诱杀防治灰茶尺蠖主害代——第3代,试验程序：在第2代羽化始盛期用诱捕器诱杀成虫以减少交尾几率而压低第3代幼虫数,在第3代初龄幼虫期喷施2.5%联苯菊酯、茶尺蠖核型多角体病毒 · 苏云金杆菌悬浮剂（1×10⁴ PIB · 2000 IU/μL）,接着定期调查三者的防治效果,结果表明复合型性诱剂的防效显著优于后两者。该研究为灰茶尺蠖的绿色防控提供了可敷应用的技术产品。     

亲土苔蛾成虫复眼超微结构

【目的】重叠型眼在昆虫复眼演化中起着重要作用。本研究旨在阐明夜出型亲土苔蛾Manulea affineola复眼类型及结构特征,以期填补灯蛾亚科昆虫复眼研究的空白,扩充夜出型昆虫复眼的特征数据,为探讨重叠型眼的变异趋势及复眼演化提供依据。【方法】运用光学和透射电子显微技术观察亲土苔蛾成虫复眼的超微结构。【结果】亲土苔蛾成虫复眼具有一个透明区,由6个次级色素细胞的透明胞质构成。小眼具8个视网膜细胞,其中1个视网膜细胞较短,仅位于小眼基部。在透明区内,7个视网膜细胞聚集成一束,其远端与晶体束末端相接,但并不形成视杆。在透明区下方,这7个视网膜细胞形成一个中心融合的视杆。在复眼背缘区的小眼的视杆具有近似矩形的横截面,而其余小眼的视杆具多分支状截面。【结论】亲土苔蛾成虫复眼属于重叠型眼;复眼背缘区的矩形视杆很可能与昆虫的偏振敏感性有关。     

No-substrate and low-moisture conditions during pupating adversely affect Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) adults

Ectropis grisescens Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is an important defoliator pest of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis L. Our previous studies showed that E. grisescens pupae had significantly lower body water content when they pupated in the dry soil (20%-moisture) than those that pupated in the wetter soil (50%- or 80%-moisture). However, it is still unclear whether low-moisture conditions during pupating would further influence the physiological and fitness traits of adults. In the present study, E. grisescens individuals were allowed to pupate in 20%-, 50%- or 80%-moisture soil (silt loam), or in containers without soil (no-substrate conditions) in the laboratory. No significant difference in emergence was detected among different pupating conditions. However, female moths that emerged from 20%-moisture soil had significantly lower body water content compared to 80%-moisture soil, whereas the body water content of males was similar among the four treatments. The paired moths that emerged from 20%-moisture soil laid significantly fewer eggs than those that emerged from 50%-moisture soil. In addition, the number of hatched offerings (larvae) were significantly less when the adults previously pupated in no-soil containers compared to 50%-moisture soil. The longevity of adults was shortest when they emerged from 20%-moisture soil. Our study showed that the no-substrate and low-moisture conditions during pupating adversely affected E. grisescens adults.     

沃尔巴克氏菌调控小茶尺蠖和灰茶尺蠖杂交卵孵化

【目的】明确沃尔巴克氏菌Wolbachia对茶尺蠖两近缘种杂交卵孵化的影响及相关机制。【方法】使用2.5 mg/mL四环素浸液处理1 min后的新鲜茶树叶片连续饲喂灰茶尺蠖Ectropis grisescens幼虫3代,建立不携带Wolbachia的灰茶尺蠖种群。通过携带和不携带Wolbachia的灰茶尺蠖成虫分别与小茶尺蠖E.obliqua成虫进行杂交,探究Wolbachia对二者杂交卵孵化的影响。同时利用iTRAQ技术检测并分析携带和不携带Wolbachia的灰茶尺蠖精子蛋白的差异。【结果】与自然携带Wolbachia的灰茶尺蠖相比,去除Wolbachia后的灰茶尺蠖与小茶尺蠖杂交卵孵化率从3.92%显著提高到56.20%,表明Wolbachia诱导胞质不亲合。精子蛋白差异分析显示,携带和不携带Wolbachia的灰茶尺蠖的精子蛋白中,共有128个蛋白显著差异表达,其中KEGG数据库注释到45个差异蛋白富集到鞘脂类代谢、唾液分泌、溶酶体、鞘脂信号通路和鞘糖脂生物合成等106个通路中,其中鞘脂类代谢通路中与神经酰胺合成相关的神经酰胺酶和磷酸酯酶显著上调表达。【结论】共生菌Wolbac...     

茶尺蠖幼虫脑的解剖结构

【目的】明确茶尺蠖Ectropis obliqua Prout 5龄幼虫脑解剖结构,并分析和构建幼虫脑以及脑内部各神经髓结构的三维结构模型。【方法】采用免疫组织化学方法,利用突触蛋白抗体,染色标记脑内神经突触,定位突触联系密集分布的区域,获得脑内部神经髓的结构。利用激光共聚焦显微镜获取脑扫描图像,然后利用三维图像分析软件AMIRA进行图像分析,构建脑的三维结构模型,并计算脑以及脑内各神经髓结构的体积。【结果】突触蛋白抗体染色显示,茶尺蠖5龄幼虫脑内具有很多神经突触联系密集分布的区域,这些不同区域即为脑的不同神经髓结构。茶尺蠖幼虫脑主要包括前脑、中脑和后脑3个组成部分。其中前脑最大,包括成对的视叶、蕈形体、前脑桥和侧副叶以及不成对的中央体。视叶位于前脑的两侧后端。蕈形体位于脑半球正中间位置。侧副叶在中央体的下前方两侧。中央体在脑的正中心。前脑桥在中央体的上方后侧。除这些形态结构明显的神经髓区域外,前脑还包括大量内部边界不明显的神经髓区域,位于前脑左右两侧以及背侧和腹侧,这些区域被总称为中间脑,占整个脑神经髓的66%。触角叶为中脑的主要组成部分,在脑的下部最前端,为一对球状结构。后脑在脑的腹侧和触角叶下方,即围咽神经索进入脑的入口处。【结论】构建了茶尺蠖5龄幼虫脑以及各神经髓结构三维模型,分析了脑内各个神经髓之间的空间位置关系,明确了各神经髓的体积。茶尺蠖幼虫脑体积小而且结构简单的特征与其幼期视觉、嗅觉等感觉器官不发达、活动能力弱、行为简单的生物学习性相对应。     

Effects of soil-treatment with fungal biopesticides on pupation behaviors,emergence success and fitness of tea geometrid,Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Ectropisgrisescens Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is one of the most severe defoliating pests of tea plants. Synthetic pesticides have been widely applied to control this pest in tea plantations, but pesticide residues may decrease the quality and safety of tea products. In the present study, we hypothesized that soil treatment with the two commercial biopesticides (Shuiguxin^®) based on Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) could reduce the survivorship and fitness of E. grisescens. Wandering larvae of E. grisescens were allowed to pupate in soil treated with each biopesticide, and the concentrations of M. anisopliae (Shuiguxin^®) and B. bassiana (Shuiguxin^®) that produced the 50% mortality values (LC₅₀) were 2.9 × 10⁶ and 1.6 × 10⁷ conidia/g soil, respectively. Artificial burying the pupae using soil treated with M. anisopliae (Shuiguxin^®) and B. bassiana (Shuiguxin^®) (1 × 10⁸ or 1 × 10⁹ conidia/g soil for both biopesticides) also significantly reduced emergence success of E. grisescens. In addition, choice tests showed that soil treated with the high concentration of M. anisopliae (Shuiguxin^®) or B. bassiana (Shuiguxin^®) had repellent effects on pupating E. grisescens. However, sublethal concentrations (LC₂₅ and LC₅₀) of both biopesticides did not significantly affect fecundity, fertility and longevity of post-emerged adults. Our study showed that soil treatment with the two commercial biopesticides caused direct mortality of pupating E. grisescens, but may not effectively suppress E. grisescens populations at sublethal concentrations. The realistic application of the fungal dosage in fields should be determined in future studies     

Sexual dimorphism in the compound eye of the moth Operophtera brumata (Lepidoptera, Geometridae)

Abstract. Brachyptery in female moths is a common phenomenon. This article examines the eyes of the moth Operophtera brumata , in which only the males have wings. Both sexes possess eyes of the superposition type, have facets with corneal nipples, and exhibit eyeglow, but the eye of the male has 2174 facets, measures 725 μm in diameter, and has a clear zone of 112-μm width. That of the female has 1352 facets, measures 557 μm across, and has a 77-μm-wide clear zone. There were no significant differences in rhabdom diameters (10 μm) and tracheal sheath development, but male rhabdoms were significantly longer (85 vs. 65 μm). Dark/light adaptational changes manifested themselves in the positions of the distal screening pigment granules: between the cones during darkness and into the clear zone during light adaptation. The combination of a larger radius of curvature, wider clear zone, and longer rhabdoms gives the males a sensitivity at least twice that of the female. The narrower interommatidial angles of the male (2.8° vs. 3.2°) together with the well-developed tracheal rhabdom sheaths, furthermore, provide the eyes of the males with better resolution. Finally, eye-glow intensity in males diminishes considerably faster in light than it does in females. The differences between males and females appear to reflect their different roles: males begin to search after sunset in and around stands of trees for the pheromone-emitting females, which sit on the trunk of the tree under which they had emerged from their pupal case. Flying males encounter rapid light intensity changes and have to evade obstacles and enemies. The females are considerably more sedentary, but once mated, still seek suitable oviposition sites long after the males have ceased searching for them. During this activity, the females also need visual sensitivity and acuity, but less than the actively flying males.     

草地贪夜蛾成虫复眼明暗适应及黄光照射下明适应状态转化率

【目的】蛾类昆虫的趋光性与复眼明暗适应状态的转化有着直接的关系,本研究旨在阐明光照与草地贪夜蛾Spodotera frugiperda复眼明暗适应状态转化的关系。【方法】在光、暗适应条件和不同光照强度黄光照射下,在不同时间段,用相机迅速拍照,观察统计草地贪夜蛾成虫复眼的明暗适应状态及明、暗适应状态转化率。【结果】在明适应状态下,草地贪夜蛾成虫经黄光照射1 h后,随光照强度的增加,复眼明适应状态保持率逐步升高：雄成虫复眼在0.1~0.5 lx时明适应状态保持率为67.77%(有32.23%的转化为暗适应状态与中间状态),4~6 lx时明适应状态保持率达到100%;雌成虫复眼在7~10 lx时,明适应状态保持率达98.90%。在明适应状态下,经黄光照射3 h后,草地贪夜蛾成虫复眼明适应状态保持率亦随着光照强度的增加逐步升高,在0.1~0.5 lx时雄成虫复眼明适应状态保持率为50.00%,雌成虫为32.23%;在光照强度7~10 lx时,雌雄成虫复眼明适应状态保持率分别为90.00%和100%。在暗适应状态下,草地贪夜蛾成虫经不同光照强度的黄光照射30 min后,成虫复眼向明适应状态逐渐转化：在0.1~0.5 lx光照强度时雌、雄成虫复眼明适应状态转化率均为93.33%;当光照强度达到0.6~0.9 lx时雌成虫复眼的明适应状态转化率达到100%,雄成虫复眼则在1~2 lx时达到100%。【结论】结果说明,草地贪夜蛾成虫有较强的光敏感性,且雌虫对黄光的光敏感性略强于雄虫。     

Comparison of male antennal morphology and sensilla physiology for sex pheromone olfactory sensing between sibling moth species: Ectropis grisescens and Ectropis obliqua (Geometridae)

Ectropis grisescens and Ectropis obliqua (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) are sibling pest species that co‐occur on tea plants. The sex pheromone components of both species contain (Z,Z,Z)‐3,6,9‐octadecatriene and (Z,Z)‐3,9‐cis‐6,7‐epoxy‐octadecadiene. E. obliqua has (Z,Z)‐3,9‐cis‐6,7‐epoxy‐nonadecadiene as an additional sex pheromone component, which ensures reproductive segregation between the two species. To ascertain the detection mechanism of olfactory organs for sex pheromone components of E. grisescens and E. obliqua, we applied scanning electron microscopy and single sensillum recording to compare antennal morphology and sensillum physiology in the two species. There was no apparent morphological difference between the antennae of the two species. Both species responded similarly to all three sex pheromone components, including, E. obliqua specific component. The distribution patterns of antennal sensilla trichodea differed between the two species. Sex pheromone olfactory sensing in these sibling species appears to be determined by the density of different types of olfactory sensing neurons. Dose‐dependent responses of sensilla trichodea type 1 to (Z,Z)‐3,9‐cis‐6,7‐epoxy‐octadecadiene, the most abundant component, showed an “all or none” pattern and the other two components showed sigmoidal dose‐response curves with a half threshold of 10^?4 (dilution equal to the concentration of 10 μg/μl). These results suggest that the major sex pheromone component functions as an on–off controller while secondary components function as modulators during olfactory transmission to the primary olfactory center.