Abstract

Considering the management methods of Mediterranean flat-headed peach borer, Capnodis tenebrionis (L.), the control of this major pest is still based on preventive measures due to lack of information on population levels and inefficiency of monitoring systems of the adults. Current study objected to state the sexual communication behaviour of C. tenebrionis males and the involvement of female pronotum in this process. Obtained information may lead in revealing an efficient biotechnological control method of this pest. Morphological examinations on pronotum of female and male showed presence of macro- and micro-holes of inner and outer parts evidencing no symmetry and proportionally larger secretive area in male than the female. Yshaped olfactometer assays indicated the production of a weak airborne volatile by females. Mating behaviour assays put down the rituals applied by C. tenebrionis males before mating and the role of the female pronotum secretion in male recognition and acceptance. Mating behaviour assays were approached sheltering the female pronotum by means of a biological inert polymer which allowed a new and easy tool/procedure for collecting cuticular compounds prior to chemical analysis without affecting the beetles. The approach demonstrated direct and fundamental involvement of pronotum in mating. The chemical analysis of the resin copies detached from adults laid down the fact that no relevant differences occur in composition of the cuticular compounds of each sex, but quantity differences were assessed. Morphological measurements of C. tenebrionis adults also proved that no correlation occurs between the size of beetles and duration of copulation.