author(s)
Mallikarjun, KRM Bhanu, M Thippaiah, Raghavendra A, Jyotsana Sharma and AK Chakravarthy

abstract
Specific mate recognition and host preference relies on the chemical cues in most animals especially in nocturnal insects. Host plant volatiles plays an important role in the perception of sex pheromone in males. Pheromone and plant volatiles are not perceived as independent messages andplant cues enhance discrimination of sex pheromone quality. This confirms the idea that specific mate recognition in noctuid moths - evolved in concert with adaptation to host plants. Shifts in either female host preference or sex pheromone biosynthesis give rise to new communication channels.The results of the present study indicated that E. materna demonstrated selective polyphagic feeding behavior and uses olfactory cues from preferred fruits to detect and locate potential food sources. Sex pheromone components of E. maternainclude (Z, E)-9, 11-Tetradecadienyl acetate (Major component)and Z-9-Tricosene and Z-9- Pentacosene (Minor components). To find an effective blend for field trapping, five blends of sex pheromone components were screened by Electroantennography (EAG). Blend that had(Z, E)-9, 11-Tetradecadienyl acetate (100 parts), Z-9-Tricosene (20 parts),Z-9- Pentacosene (20parts)and 2-EthylHexanol (20 parts)elicited maximum EAG response (P<0.05).Dose response experiments conducted at four doses viz., 1, 10, 20 and 40µl through EAG, flight behaviour (windtunnel)and field experiments revealed that, 40µl elicited higher electrophysiological and taxis responses and male moth catches compared to remaining blends. These findings hint at possible integral role of 2-EthylHexanolwith pheromone components in host finding.