The chemical which the female silkmoth (Bombyx) produces to
attract male silkmoths was identified in 1960. This chemical is
called bombycol. A small amount of bombycol was taken from a
group of female silkmoths and the following experiment was
carried out. |A female silkmoth was placed in a transparent,
air-tight box. The box was placed on a table. On the same table
was placed a dish containing a piece of filter paper. The filter
paper had been soaked in bombycol. When a male silkmoth was
released into the room he ignored the female silkmoth and
attempted to mate with the filter paper! Answer the following
questions why the male silkmoth ignored the female silkmoth. (b)
Which of the senses are not used by the male silkmoth to find
the female silkmoth? Give reasons for your answer, using the
results of the experiment. (c) Why was the male silkmoth more
attracted to the filter paper? (d) Which parts of the male
silkmoth are receptive to bombycol? Paul Billiet & Shirley
Burchill 2013