Electroantennogram responses of male Sphinx perelegans hawkmoths to floral and ‘green-leaf volatiles’

Abstract

Electroantennograms (EAGs) from field-collected male Sphinx perelegans hawkmoths were recorded in response to 10 individual floral scent compounds identified from Clarkia breweri (Onagraceae), 21 additional volatiles characteristic of other night-blooming flowers, and eight ‘green leaf’ volatiles. Measurable EAG responses were elicited to all compounds tested, but the most effective antennal stimulants were benzyl acetate, linalool, methyl salicylate and trans-2-hexenal. Mean, pooled EAGs to oxygenated terpenoids, aromatic esters and fatty acid derivatives were larger in magnitude than those in response to aromatic aldehydes/alcohols, monoterpenes and nitrogen-bearing compounds. The rank order of male S. perelegans' EAGs did not differ significantly from that of previously recorded responses of male Hyles lineata to the same scent compounds, and EAG magnitudes were generally larger for S. perelegans than for H. lineata. Both hawkmoth species are shown to have broad olfactory receptivities and could potentially respond to a wide array of plant volatiles as floral attractants.