Evolution of the pheromone signaling system of Spodoptera frugiperda and Heliothis virescens

对昆虫信息素的研究使其能够在农业和公共卫生系统中用于无害生态的害虫防治。信息素通讯也是我们理解动物信号多样化和物种形成机制的重要模型。然而，大多数研究都集中在女性发出的信息素，在很大程度上忽略了近距离男性产生的信息素，这是重要的物种识别和女性的配偶选择。本项目主要解决两个问题：（1）近距离雄性性信号的自然变化如何影响雌性选择？(2)如果雄性性信号的产生与雌性信号的产生在生物化学和遗传上有联系，那么进化的结果是什么？具体而言，该项目将化学识别近距离的雄性信息素在两个蛾类使用的行为和分析方法相结合，量化的雄性信息素的种内变异的幅度，并评估哪些功能的雄性信息素有助于女性择偶。该比较项目将集中于两个具有生态和农业重要性的物种，草地贪夜蛾（秋粘虫）和烟夜蛾（烟夜蛾）。一个独特的资产是，每个物种由两个菌株与不同的女性信息素混合物。这项研究的结果将是至关重要的，不仅为了解相互信号和配偶选择的作用，在动物的性交流系统的进化，但也将导致更好地了解如何交配偏好的进化可以导致交配前的隔离种群，并最终到新物种的起源。在NSF国际科学与工程办公室的额外支持下，该项目将与德国耶拿的马克斯·普朗克化学生态学研究所合作，在一个独特的国际合作项目中培训一名博士后研究员、一名研究生和一名本科生。这些受训人员将参加社区科学教育外展计划。

Research on insect pheromones has enabled their use in ecologically-sound pest control in agricultural and public health systems. Pheromonal communication has also served as an important model for our understanding of the mechanisms of signal diversification and speciation in animals. However, most research has focused on female-emitted pheromones, largely ignoring close-range male-produced pheromones which are important for species-recognition and female mate choice. This project addresses two major questions: (1) How does natural variation in close-range male sexual signals affect female choice? (2) What are the evolutionary consequences if the production of male sexual signals is biochemically and genetically linked to production of female signals? Specifically, this project will chemically identify the close-range male pheromones in two moth species using a combination of behavioral and analytical approaches, quantify the magnitude of intraspecific variation in the male pheromones, and evaluate what features of the male pheromone contribute to female mate choice. The comparative project will concentrate on two ecologically and agriculturally important species, Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm) and Heliothis virescens (Tobacco Budworm). A unique asset is that each species consists of two strains with distinct female pheromone blends. Results of this investigation will be critical not only for understanding the roles of reciprocal signaling and mate choice in the evolution of sexual communication systems in animals, but will also lead to a better understanding of how the evolution of mating preferences can lead to premating isolation among populations, and ultimately to the origin of new species. With additional support from NSF's Office of International Science and Engineering, this project will train a postdoctoral researcher, a graduate student, and undergraduate students in a unique international collaborative project with the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany. These trainees will participate in community science education outreach programs.