Lateralized courtship behaviours and mating success in Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): A population‐level study on maize plants under greenhouse conditions

Lateralization, defined as the asymmetric organization of brain functions, is a widely recognized phenomenon observed in an increasing number of insect species. However, knowledge remains limited for Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), particularly regarding population-level courtship lateralization on maize plants in greenhouse environments. This study investigates the lateralized mating behaviours of O. furnacalis on maize plants in controlled greenhouse conditions. Our findings reveal distinct differences in two population-level lateralized mating behaviours (left-biased and right-biased approaches, and 180° turnings), demonstrating for the first time the influence of the host plant environment. Male moths consistently exhibited a right-biased approach and left-biased 180° turning behaviour towards the female during copulation on maize plant leaves, which was associated with a reduced number of mating attempts. In response, female moths on maize leaves exhibited decreased rejection rates and increased receptivity to right-sided approaches and left-biased 180° turnings for intromissive copulation. Males performing ultrasonic courtship songs with left-biased 180° turning, reduced female rejections and lower courtship aggression achieved significantly higher mating success on maize plant leaves than those with right-biased 180° turnings for intromissive copulation. These findings provide the first empirical evidence of host plant-mediated lateralized courtship behaviours in O. furnacalis under greenhouse conditions. They offer novel perspective into the adaptive value of behavioural lateralization and highlight its relevance in naturalistic settings. This work advances insect behavioural ecology and has potential implications for developing behaviour-based pest control strategies.

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