Reduction in responsiveness of males of Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera) to sex pheromone following previous brief pheromonal exposure

The responsiveness to sex pheromone of males of Epiphyas postvittana was reduced by previous brief exposure to pheromone. Males were exposed to a standard quantity of pheromone for various durations and at various intervals before the time at which bioassay was performed.The reduction in responsiveness was related both to the duration of the previous exposure and to the time at which the previous exposure was given in relation to the bioassay. It was not related to the occurrence or intensity of any behavioural response elicited at the time of previous exposure to the pheromone.