Title: | "Female detection of the synthetic sex pheromone contributes to the efficacy of mating disruption of the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana" |
Author(s): | Harari AR; Zahavi T; Steinitz H; |
Address: | "Department of Entomology, Volcani Centre, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1526-4998 (Electronic) 1526-498X (Linking) |
Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Studies of the mechanisms by which mating-disruption techniques control insect pest populations have traditionally focused on the effects of the species-specific sex pheromone on the male moths, while neglecting possible direct effects of the pheromone on females. Here, the effects of exposure to synthetic species-specific sex-pheromone on Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth) females were tested. RESULTS: Females in vineyards that were treated with mating-disruption pheromone burst into short bouts of flying more frequently, but called significantly less frequently than females in untreated plots. Reduced calling caused by exposure to the species-specific sex-pheromone may increase the age at which females mate and thereby reduce female fecundity. Females that called in a pheromone-saturated environment experienced a decrease in number of oviposited eggs. A further decrease in reproductive success may occur if females delay oviposition when exposed to access of the synthetic pheromone. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to reducing the ability of males to locate females, the mating-disruption technique can suppress pest numbers as a consequence of its direct effects on females. The two mechanisms probably act synergistically" |
Keywords: | "Animals Female Male Moths/*drug effects/physiology Oviposition/drug effects *Pest Control, Biological Pheromones/analysis/*pharmacology Sex Attractants/analysis/*pharmacology Species Specificity calling females fitness mating disruption oviposition pherom;" |
Notes: | "MedlineHarari, Ally R Zahavi, Tirtza Steinitz, Hadass eng England 2014/06/10 Pest Manag Sci. 2015 Feb; 71(2):316-22. doi: 10.1002/ps.3830. Epub 2014 Jun 26" |