Many insects exhibit sex-specific searching behaviour, which is to a large extent under chemosensory control. Pheromones are species-specific signals that mediate alone, or in combination with environmental cues, sex-attraction, courtship and mating. Food volatiles induce foraging, feeding and oviposition. The behavioural responses to stimuli are modulated by the physiological and reproductive state of the individual, many of which are sex-specific. This Research Topic in Frontiers of Ecology and Evolution welcomes contributions from studies focusing on sexually dimorphic chemosensory circuits and behaviour in insects. Sex-specific responses to volatile chemicals like food and sex signals, and changing responses according to internal physiological state, provide opportunities to study the circuitry underlying chemosensory communication and unravel the ecological roles and evolutionary background underlying chemical signals.
Many insects exhibit sex-specific searching behaviour, which is to a large extent under chemosensory control. Pheromones are species-specific signals that mediate alone, or in combination with environmental cues, sex-attraction, courtship and mating. Food volatiles induce foraging, feeding and oviposition. The behavioural responses to stimuli are modulated by the physiological and reproductive state of the individual, many of which are sex-specific. This Research Topic in Frontiers of Ecology and Evolution welcomes contributions from studies focusing on sexually dimorphic chemosensory circuits and behaviour in insects. Sex-specific responses to volatile chemicals like food and sex signals, and changing responses according to internal physiological state, provide opportunities to study the circuitry underlying chemosensory communication and unravel the ecological roles and evolutionary background underlying chemical signals.