78 research outputs found

    Vibratory communication and its relevance to reproductive isolation in two sympatric stink bug species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae).

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    Inefficient weapon—the role of plant secondary metabolites in cotton defence against the boll weevil

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    Plant cultivar selection for resistance to herbivore pests is an effective, environmentally safe and inexpensive method to implement in integrated pest management programs. In this study, we evaluated seven cotton genotypes with respect to the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and non-volatile compounds (terpenoid aldehydes (TAs)), and the attraction and feeding preference of adult boll weevils. Chemical analyses of VOCs from BRS-293, BRS-Rubi, CNPA TB-15, CNPA TB-85, CNPA TB-90, Delta Opal, and Empire Glandless showed that there were few qualitative and quantitative differences across the range of genotypes. In contrast, major differences in TA content were observed, with CNPA TB-15 and CNPA TB-85 producing higher levels of TAs compared to the other genotypes. Our results showed that boll weevil attraction and feeding behaviour was not positively or negatively influenced by the terpenoid content (volatile and non-volatile compounds) of cotton genotypes. The results in this study suggest that boll weevils have adapted physiologically to cope with cotton chemical defence mechanisms

    Attractiveness of host plant volatile extracts to the asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is reduced by terpenoids from the non-host cashew.

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    Diaphorina citri is a vector of the bacterial causative agent of Huanglongbing (HLB = Citrus greening), a severe disease affecting citrus crops. As there is no known control for HLB, manipulating insect behaviour through deployment of semiochemicals offers a promising opportunity for protecting citrus crops. The behavioural responses of D. citri to plant volatiles, and the identity of these plant volatiles were investigated. Volatiles were collected from host plants Murraya paniculata, Citrus sinensis, C. reshni, C. limettioides, Poncirus trifoliata, and from non-host plants Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica,Anacardium occidentale. In behavioural assays, female D. citri spent more time in the arms containing volatiles from either M. paniculata or C. sinensis compared to the control arms. When D. citri was exposed to volatiles collected from A. occidentale, they preferred the control arm. Volatiles emitted from the other studied plants did not influence the foraging behaviour of D. citri. Chemical analyses of volatile extracts from C. sinensis, M. paniculata,and A. occidentale revealed the presence of the terpenoids (E)-4,8- dimethylnona-1,3,7–triene (DMNT) and (E,E)-4,8,12 trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene (TMTT) in higher amounts in A. occidentale. In further behavioural bioassays, female D. citri spent less time in arms containing a synthetic blend of DMNT and TMTT compared to the control arms. Female D.citri also spent less time in arms containing the synthetic blend in combination with volatile extracts from either M. paniculata or C. sinensis compared to the control arms. Results suggest that higher release of the two terpenoids by A.occidentale make this species unattractive to D. citri, and that the terpenoids could be used in reducing colonisation of citrus plants and therefore HLB infection
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