Hypersexual Activity Induced in Females of the Cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea

Abstract

Corpora allata control mating in females principally by inducing feeding on the tergum of a displaying male. Mating induces an inhibitory nervous mechanism, the seat of which is posterior to the last abdominal ganglion, causing an immediate loss of receptivity by suppressing feeding behavior. After parturition, females may again be receptive. Transection of the nerve cord before or just after mating causes excessive sexual behavior.