SUMMARYTwo techniques for collection of water-soluble substances, particularly carbohydrates, from the leaf surfaces (phylloplane) of maize {Zea mays L.) were compared in order to explain the oviposition preference ofthe European corn borer.By dipping the leaves in water, smaller amounts of substances were obtained than by spraying water. The total amounts of three sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) collected from maize phylloplane ranged from 0-6 to 3-6 mg m"^ of leaf surface.The quantities of these substances varied with the variety of maize, with leaf position, and with the part of the leaf. Sugar ratios on the phylloplane were quite different from those observed within the leaf.
The oviposition preference of the European Corn Borer Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. Lepidopterapyralidae was studied in relation to phenological stages of different plant species (Zea mays L., Helianthus annuus L., Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The experiments were done in greenhouses in binary choices. The results show that the plant phenological stages were more important than the plant species in the insect oviposition preference. When the choice was given between two plant species throughout their growth, the preference varied in relation to the development of each species. The relative differences in fructose amounts found on the leaf surfaces (phylloplane) were highly correlated with the insect oviposition preference. Amounts of proline, glucose and sucrose may accentuate this previous effect.
Earlier experiments seemed to indicate a positive correlation between the choice of the oviposition site of Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. on maize (Zea mays L.) leaves and their carbohydrate content. In the present study a growth regulator, maleic hydrazide (M.H.), is used to increase the soluble carbohydrate content of the plants. It seems that the insect prefers to oviposit on the treated plants which display higher carbohydrate contents. On the other hand the distribution of the egg-masses on the leaf blade is also modified. Plant height has no influence on these choices.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.