Chemical induction of mating abnormalities and spermatophore production in the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kühniella

Hexamethyl-melamine (hemel) when injected into male Ephestia kühniella induced mating aberrations expressed as permanent copulation, sterile mating and spontaneous production of spermatophore. Permanent copulation was not caused by blockage or an elongated spermatophore column but probably caused by failure of the male reproductive organs to completely transfer the spermatophore. Spontaneous spermatophore formation was induced by both cholinesterase inhibitors and nerve stimulants, the effect of the former being more pronounced. It was not caused by stress due to poisoning since DDT even at lethal doses did not induce a response. The results suggest involvement of the nervous system in spermatophore production during a normal mating.