Electrophysiological and Behavioral Responses of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to Volatiles from a Non-host Plant, Geranium, Pelargonium × hortorum (Geraniaceae)

Abstract

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a notorious cruciferous vegetable pest globally. Mechanically damaged geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum) can strongly repel DBM, but specific plant bioactive compounds responsible for such effects have not been identified. The headspace volatiles from wounded geranium were analyzed using gas chromatography−electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography−mass spectrometry. The electrophysiological and behavioral responses of DBM females to these chemicals and two blends were investigated. The results showed that five components myrcene, γ-terpinene, linalool, camphor, and terpinen-4-ol in geranium plants mediated the repellence of DBM mated females. These substances significantly repelled the oviposition of females, and blend-2 (a mixture of the five components with a ratio 1:5:3:4:3) was most effective. The slow-release blend-2 had a repellent range of 0.9 m and a repellent longevity of 26 days. These five substances are promising behavioral regulators of the destructive moths and could be potential candidates for "push" components in plant-based "push−pull" strategies.

Electroantennogram and behavioural responses of Plutella xylostella to volatiles from the non‐host plant Mentha spicata

“…In addition, myrcene showed strong toxicity against Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Kordali et al, 2007). The results of this study indicated that myrcene in wounded M. spicata had significant repellent effects on P. xylostella adults, and the results are consistent with previous findings, which showed that myrcene in Pelargonium hortorum significantly repelled P. xylostella (Song et al, 2022). Myrcene plays an important role in mediating the repellence of wounded M. spicata against P. xylostella .…”

“…Oviposition repellence of female P. xylostella was performed at the crop experiment station of Shanxi Agricultural University (37°42′N, 112°57′E) in July, located in the Taigu District, Shanxi Province. Experiments were performed in screened cages (1 × 1 × 1 m), as described by Song et al (2022), and the individual cages were spaced at 10 m intervals to avoid mutual interference. Potted B. chinensis plants with 4–5 leaves were used.…”

“…Experiments were performed in screened cages (1 × 1 × 1 m), as described by Song et al (2022), and the individual cages were spaced at 10 m intervals to avoid mutual interference. Potted B. chinensis plants with 4-5 leaves were used.…”

Identification and Functional Characterization of General Odorant Binding Proteins in Orthaga achatina

“…Plant volatiles plays an essential role in the host selection and egg laying of phytophagous insects. Identifying these active plant volatiles and their application to the behavioral regulation of pests has good application prospects [ 13 ]. Numerous studies have shown that GOBPs play a vital role in the perception of plant volatiles [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Plant Volatiles Mediate Host Selection of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) among Wheat Varieties

“…Selecting and locating host plants are crucial for the survival and reproduction of phytophagous insects. It is widely believed that olfaction plays predominant roles in this process. − Adult females can detect and discriminate volatile semiochemicals from particular plants in a species-specific manner or via specific ratios of ubiquitous compounds − and unitize them to select hosts for oviposition or feeding. Plant semiochemicals mediating host selection of several phytophagous insects among crops or varieties with different resistances have been identified. , It was reported that two sesquiterpene volatile compounds (zingiberence and curcumene), which are present in the wild tomato resistant to the tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci, but absent in susceptible cultivated tomato, are strongly repellent to B.…”