Male response to natural sex pheromone of Migdolus fryanus westwood (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) females as affected by daily climatic factors

Male of the sugarcane borer, Migdolus fryanus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), are attracted to females by means of a sex pheromone. Mating usually occurs during a few days from October to March under field conditions in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. This work reports on mating of this species as affected by daily climatic factors, during a single nuptial flight. Maximum male capture by the natural sex pheromone occurred from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at air and soil temperatures of 30.0 degree C and relative humidity of 57.0%. As these temperatures increased, females burrowed into the soil, as they are more sensitive to heat than males. Thus, it was concluded that sex pheromone-mediated mating in this cerambycid is directly affected by temperatures of air and soil.