| Title: | "Host-plant finding by the asparagus fly, Plioreocepta poeciloptera (Diptera: Tephritidae), a monophagous, monovoltine tephritid" |
| Author(s): | Thibout E; Pierre D; Mondy N; Lecomte C; Biemont JC; Auger J; |
| Address: | "IRBI, UMR CNRS 6035, Universite F. Rabelais, Faculte des Sciences, Parc Grandmont, 37200 Tours, France" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0007-4853 (Print) 0007-4853 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The role of various olfactory and visual stimuli was studied in host-plant finding by the asparagus fly Plioreocepta poeciloptera (Schrank), a monophagous monovoltine tephritid causing serious damage to asparagus spears. Volatiles released by asparagus plants were extracted by diethyl ether after cryotrapping concentration, and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twelve of the 13 compounds identified were tested using electroantennography to measure the response of the fly. Behavioural response was analysed using two different flight tunnels according to circadian rhythm, age and sex of adults, presence of the plant and of different coloured lures, presence of a male congener, or exposure to four pure asparagus odour compounds that elicited responses in electroantennography, i.e. hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol and decanal. Data showed that males locate the host plant more quickly than females. Females are attracted mainly by the blend of plant odour and male pheromone. Both sexes respond to a complex of stimuli only during the afternoon. These findings will be helpful in developing new and effective approaches to control this pest insect" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Asparagus Plant/chemistry/*parasitology/*physiology Behavior, Animal/physiology Circadian Rhythm Female Male Odorants Pest Control, Biological Smell/physiology Tephritidae/*physiology Vision, Ocular/physiology;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineThibout, E Pierre, D Mondy, N Lecomte, C Biemont, J C Auger, J eng England 2005/10/04 Bull Entomol Res. 2005 Oct; 95(5):393-9. doi: 10.1079/ber2005370" |
