Moth flies

Abstract Pheromones are utilized by many insects in a complex chemical communication system. This review will look at the biosynthesis of sex and aggregation pheromones in the model insects, moths, flies, cockroaches, and beetles. The biosynthetic pathways involve altered pathways of normal metabolism of fatty acids and isoprenoids. Endocrine regulation of the biosynthetic pathways will also be reviewed for the model insects. A neuropeptide named pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide regulates sex pheromone biosynthesis in moths. Juvenile hormone regulates pheromone production in the beetles and cockroaches, while 20-hydroxyecdysone regulates pheromone production in the flies. 

The use of allomones to attract prey is not restricted to adult or last instar stages of M. hutchinsoni. Because juvenile spiderlings are too small to catch moths, they attract moth flies (Diptera Psychodidae). They do not use a bolas but instead seize their prey with their forelegs (Yeargan and Quate, 1996), and each spider species specializes on a specific prey species. Allomones that might mediate the attraction of prey have not yet been identified, and, indeed, the possible pheromones of psychodid moth flies are still largely unknown. To date, homosesquiterpene pheromones have been identified only from psychodid sandflies in the... 

Endopterygota 665,000 (moths, flies, beetles, ants, bees, fleas) Hemipteroid assemblage 35,000 + sp. (bugs, lice, aphids, cicadas) Embndina 200+ sp. 

Using both sensory systems, the male moth flies slowly upwind in the direction of the source when it finds a pheromone plume, performing a number of turns in a quite regular structure when the plume filaments are lost. 

Parasitic wasps Giant sphinx moths Flies... 

Figure 1. A male moth, flies upwind in a flight tunnel toward a sex pheromone lure (left panel). Upon landing on the lure, the male attempts to copulate with it (right panel).

However, the arrangements of the natural world have been utilizing its optical behaviours with skills far beyond human intelligence. One T)f them is known as Moth Eye Principle and the eyes of a moth, flying in the air toward evening, have characteristic concave and convex structure. 

Moths, flies, and other insects often use fatty acids and derivatives as pheromones to attract mates. There is much interest in exploiting these compounds as a means of insect control. 

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