Descending protocerebral neurons related to the mating dance of the male silkworm moth.

Descending protocerebral neurons in the male silkworm moth brain responding to the sexual pheromone (Bombykol) were identified. The neurons responded well with a tonic type of response and the high-frequency spikes evoked continued even after the end of the stimulus. Characteristics of the dose-response curves of the neurons to the pheromone remarkably resembled those of the wing vibration which is one of the mating behavioral components of the male moths.