Pheromone Release Behaviour in Females of Phyllonorycter junoniella (Z.) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) Under Constant and Cycling Temperatures

The calling activity of virgin Phyllonorycter junoniella (Z.) females under a cycling thermal regime differed from that under constant temperature in the following ways: the percentage of females calling at the morning activity peak was increased; the morning period of calling activity was prolonged; the total period of calling activity of an individual female was increased; an extra peak of activity occurred at the end of the photophase, and females changed the calling pattern during the active period. We assume that the occurrence of two calling peaks and the extension of the calling period might be adaptive for a Ph. junoniella species with a sex ratio strongly shifted towards females (8:1 females:males), as it could lead to an increased proportion of females mated.