Foliar form influences ovipositional behaviour of the onion fly

The approach and landing responses of female Mamestra brassicae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to visual cues from artificial plant leaves of different shapes and presence/absence of cabbage plant odour were investigated in a laboratory wind tunnel. The leaves were painted with cadmium yellow colour and observed under dim red light. Females showed oriented flight towards plant odours but landed significantly more often when the odour was presented with an artificial leaf. In three-choice tests, the shape of the leaf targets (circle, square or triangle) did not influence the female response. However, the size of the target did influence the insect response: the females preferred landing on square targets with sides of 5 or 10 cm rather than on the largest target, with sides of 15 cm. The orientation of the target influenced the insects' response: females landed significantly more often on the target positioned vertically than horizontally.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Role of visual cues and interaction with host odour during the host‐finding behaviour of the cabbage moth

Rojas

Wyatt

1999

“…These models suggest that host finding and acceptance by oligophagous insects like D. antiqua are often directed toward hostspecific chemical stimuli. However, as Harris & Miller (1984) recently suggested, visual responses displayed by the onion fly may actually reflect behaviours adaptive in the past. Therefore, the positive response of D. antiqua to traps enriched in violet-blue wavelengths, may be related to the fact that most AIlium spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Visual behaviour of the onion fly, Delia antiqua: antagonistic interaction of ultraviolet and visible wavelength reflectance

Judd

Borden

Wynne

1988

The interaction of ultraviolet (UV = 350-400 nm) and visible (VISIBLE = 400-650 nm) wavelengths in the visual behaviour of the onion fly, Delia antiqua (Meigen), was examined by measuring spontaneous alightment on various UV-and non-UV-reflecting, sticky cardboard traps in onion fields. Alightment on traps was negatively correlated with the percent UV (350 nm) and green (540-580 nm) reflectance and positively correlated with the percent blue (430-470 nm) reflectance. Alightment varied directly with the ratio of 'stimulatory'/'inhibitory' reflected wavelengths. Males and females were similar in their response to both UV and VISI-BLE wavelength reflectance, with the exception that males were more sensitive than females to UV-reflecting white surfaces. A multiple regression model, that used the intensity of 3 key wavelengths, 350, 450 and 560 nm, as independent variables, explained 90% of the variation in the combined male and female response to spectral reflectance from traps. These results indicate that some visual behaviours of D. antiqua are a function of the integration of sensory input from the entire spectral distribution of the stimulus, and not simply the dominant wavelengths or hue.

“…propenylbenzenes, furanocoumarins, polyacetylenes) are crucial for hostplant recognition and acceptance in carrot flies (Städler & Buser, 1984). Indeed, extensive studies with phytophagous fly species have revealed the potentially strong influence of physical plant properties on the host-selection behaviour (Harris & Miller, 1983;Harris & Miller, 1984;Harris & Rose, 1990;Roessingh & Städler, 1990). Indeed, extensive studies with phytophagous fly species have revealed the potentially strong influence of physical plant properties on the host-selection behaviour (Harris & Miller, 1983;Harris & Miller, 1984;Harris & Rose, 1990;Roessingh & Städler, 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foliar form, colour and surface characteristics influence oviposition behaviour of the carrot fly

Degen¹,

Städler²

1997

Various leaf models made of paper were presented to carrot flies, Psila rosae (F.) (Diptera: Psilidae) in choice assays to investigate the effect of non-chemical plant traits on oviposition behaviour. The surrogate leaves differed in colour, shape, surface coating, size and stem length. In the presence of host-plant extracts, physical factors strongly influenced oviposition. Green, yellow and orange three-dimensional models similar in shape to host-plant leaves (pinnately or ternately compound or dissected) and with a thin cover of paraffin wax were most acceptable to the females. Egg-laying was not affected by leaf size, but was negatively correlated with stem length. The results obtained by testing models with simple leaf silhouettes were confirmed in an experiment using more lifelike imitations of real host and non-host leaves. The findings are discussed by an extensive review of similar studies in three other phytophagous fly species (cabbage root fly, onion fly, Hessian fly).