Stimulation der Eiablage unbegatteter Weibchen des MondspinnersActias selene durch ein Männchen-Pheromon

Summary Mated females ofActias selene lay their eggs quicker than virgin females. Of the latter, virgins kept isolated in a separate room lay their eggs later than virgins kept in a room where males are present. Antennaless virgin females kept in the same room as males behave like isolated virgin females. It is concluded that the males produce an olfactory active sex pheromone that stimulates oviposition in females.