Sexual selection and genotype-by-environment interactions in Drosophila cuticular hydrocarbons

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) have important functions in insects, including waterproofing, species recognition, and signaling. They can act as pheromones and facilitate chemical mimicry, can be relatively simple or complex, and they have been the subject of much research. This chapter discusses studies of plasticity in CHC profile across abiotic and biotic environments. It explores the potential effects of plasticity and genotype-by-environment interactions (GEIs) on the evolution of CHC profiles in the context of sexual selection and signaling across heterogeneous environments. First, the chapter examines CHC variation across abiotic environments such as temperature and diet. Next, it considers the effects of biotic environmental variation, with particular focus on social environment, which is likely to be important in the context of sexual selection. Finally, the chapter outlines some of the likely consequences of GEI in Drosophila CHCs.