Calling behavior in the primitive longhorned beetle Prionus californicus Mots.

Many prionine species share morphological and behavioral traits commonly associated with production of volatile pheromones by females. Adults Prionus californicus Mots. are sexually dimorphic, males being smaller and having antennae that are much more strongly serrate than those of females. Females of this species produce a volatile pheromone that attracts males. We conducted studies characterizing calling behavior of P. californicus females. In these studies females typically lowered their heads and raised their abdomens while extending their ovipositors. The extended ovipositor was often flexed and the abdomen rhythmically contracted during these bouts which lasted up to 10 min. In some cases females everted a membranous, cylindrical sac from the dorsal surface of the ovipositor which was retracted before the ovipositor was withdrawn. This eversible sac has not reported for a cerambycid species, and is likely to be involved in production and/or release of pheromone.