Lady beetle sex pheromones: storage site, induction and diversity

The harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis is an invasive species whose chemical communication likely contributes to reproductive success. Females release a volatile blend of five terpenoids that attract males—but only in the presence of aphid prey. This suggests an adaptive strategy linking mating with favorable larval habitats. Surprisingly, aphid odors alone trigger pheromone production, although the specific cues and the storage site remain unknown. My PhD aims to elucidate: (1) the olfactory stimuli inducing pheromone production, (2) the anatomical localization of pheromone storage, and (3) whether similar sexual communication systems are conserved among phylogenetically related coccinellid species.