Abstract:  【Aim】 The production and release of sex pheromone are synchronous with calling behaviour in the moth, and the organs producing and releasing sex pheromone are pheromone-producing glands. In order to understand the secretion characteristics of sex pheromone, the calling behavior and ultrastructure of the sex pheromone-producing glands of Algedonia coclesalis were studied.【Methods】 The calling behavior of adult A. coclesalis was observed under controlled laboratory conditions of 26±2℃, 80%±10％RH and 14L:10D photoperiod. According to the results of calling rhythm, the most active female moth was selected and the terminal abdominal segment was extruded fully. The 8th abdominal segment was cut transversely and was observed by microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. 【Results】 The calling behavior of both females and males had procedures and only occurred in dark period. The calling rate was lower within 5 h of the scotophase, but increased significantly at 6 h after the initiation of scotophase and reached the peak at the 7th-8th hour of scotophase. The calling rate had a close relation with the age of female moth, and the 3 day-old female moth had the highest calling rate and longest calling duration. It was observed that the gland was full ring-like structure situated on the segmental membrane between the 8th and 9th segments, and it was milky white bursa under microscope. Ventral bursa was multiply wrinkled under SEM, which was roughly divided into three wrinkled regions. The surfaces of wrinkled regions except the 1st one are covered with the papillae, concave groove and spine, and the spine has a hole on the top. The bursa on the back has fewer wrinkles, and the 1st wrinkled region has the similar surface morphology with the 2nd and 3rd ones. 【Conclusion】 The results could help us understand the circadian rhythm of pheromone biosynthesis and release, and further provide scientific basis for the biosynthesis, accurate extraction and identification, and application of sex pheromones.

Key words: Algedonia coclesalis, calling behavior, sex pheromone-producing gland, morphology, ultrastructure