The control of sexual receptivity in female cockroaches

Female receptivity and sex pheromone production are controlled by different mechanisms. In B. fumigata females the corpora allata control pheromone production. The female's pheromone releases courtship behaviour in the male; he raises his wings exposing his tergum and apparently releases a pheromone. The receptive female is attracted to the male and mounts and ‘feeds’ on his tergum. The mounting and feeding behaviour, which is indicative of female receptivity, is not directly controlled by the corpora allata.

Receptivity in N. cinerea and L. maderae is determined by some event, presumably in the brain, which occurs at about the same time as the onset of activity of the corpora allata. It is suggested that the neurosecretory system is involved in acceptance of the male by the female.