ScienceDaily — A new study published online on May 7th in Current Biology has found the source of silkworms’ attraction to mulberry leaves, their primary food source. A jasmine-scented chemical emitted in small quantities by the leaves triggers a single, highly tuned olfactory receptor in the silkworms’ antennae, they show.

The results are contrary to the notion that insects are generally attracted to their host plants through the recognition of a blend of volatile compounds by a combination of receptors, said Kazushige Touhara of The University of Tokyo. In addition to the new insights into insect olfaction, the findings may also have practical implications for those who raise silkworms for the production of silk, he added.

Bombyx mori, the domesticated silkmoth, no longer occurs naturally in the wild. As a consequence, they have reduced mouthparts, do not feed, cannot fly, and respond only to a sex pheromone for reproduction. Because of their commercial value and close association with humans, silkworms and their attraction to mulberry has long been of interest.

Sumber : Science Daily

Informasi lengkap dapat diakses di :

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507121951.htm

Photo :  Silkworm eating mulberry leaf. (Credit: Toru Shimada)