Chair of Forest Zoology and EntomologyBiology of Creatonotos
Boppré M, Schneider D (1989) The biology of Creatonotos (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) with special reference to the androconial system. Zool J Linn Soc 96: 339356.
The reproductive biology of the arctiid moths Creatonotos transiens and C. gangis exhibits a novel ontogenetic phenomenon, the morphogenesis of male coremata size being directly controlled by the quantity of hostplant-derived pyrrolizidine alkaloids ingested by the larvae. In addition, the same alkaloids directly control the quantity of male pheromones synthesized and available for deployment by these scent organs. Reproduction in these insects thus shows striking linkages between ecological, behavioural, chemical and morphological features. This paper presents an account of the general biology of the moths, and reviews the literature on Creatomotos as a basis for reports on experimental work.
PA als Morphogene bei Creatonotos