Circadian rhythm of sex pheromone production and male activity of coexisting sibling species of Cryptomyzus aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae).

Abstract

The aphid sibling species of Cryptomyzus live sympatrically on the same host plant and their sexual females appeared to be produced in the same period of the year. The circadian rhythm of the production of their sex pheromones, and the activity of the males, differed between the species. The origin of this divergence of mate recognition and the possibility of speciation by reinforcement are discussed.