Identification of limonene as a potential kairomone of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

Abstract. Chemical cues involved in both host location and oviposition by Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were investigated in laboratory and field experiments. Among the five volatiles tested in a four-arm olfactometer ((E)--farnesene, -pinene, -caryophyllene, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, and limonene), gravid H. axyridis females were significantly attracted to limonene and -caryophyllene. These two chemicals also increased H. axyridis oviposition on plants. Attraction of H. axyridis towards limonene was further tested under field conditions using controlled-release dispensers. (E)--farnesene, a major aphid alarm pheromone and a potential predator kaironome, was also tested in this study. Field data confirmed those from laboratory studies concerning the attraction of H. axyridis towards limonene and a lack of response to (E)--farnesene. In contrast, the aphid predator Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Diptera: Syrphidae) was attracted to (E)--farnesene but not to limonene. These findings indicate that H. axyridis uses chemicals, such as limonene, for prey location and oviposition, and support the potential use of volatiles in the management of H. axyridis.

Does the Aphid Alarm Pheromone (E)-β-farnesene Act as a Kairomone under Field Conditions?

“…The only exception was the number of patch visits in which aphid enemies showed increased visits to plants at the exaggerated EBF amount compared to the control and natural EBF amount. This is not surprising, since it already has been demonstrated that application of exaggerated EBF amounts (e.g., 1 mg in dispensers or a release of 0.45 μg h −1 by slow releasers) can attract additional predators, such as syrphid flies, ladybirds, and parasitoid wasps (Aphidiidae) in agricultural fields, and can decrease the infestation pressure on a crop (Alhmedi et al 2010;Cui et al 2012). However, the use of EBF alone to control aphid populations without the presence of aphid enemies will not lead to a decrease in infestation rates on plants (Calabrese and Sorensen 1978).…”

Changes in volatile compounds of Dittrichia viscosa caused by the attack of the gall-forming dipteran Myopites stylatus

“…They may have different effects on natural enemies by attracting them and stimulating their oviposition. Such was observed in Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) females when exposed to a rubber septum infused with limonene (Alhmedi et al, 2010) or having no effect such observed in Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Diptera: Syrphidae) (Verheggen et al, 2008). Other studies have demonstrated that floral scent composition can influence pollinator behaviour and, simultaneously with visual cues, impact the plant-pollinator relationship (Raguso et al, 2015).…”

Floral Volatiles from Vigna unguiculata Are Olfactory and Gustatory Stimulants for Oviposition by the Bean Pod Borer Moth Maruca vitrata

“…Some predators, such as the harlequin ladybird also use it as a cue to locate prey and oviposition sites [53,54]. Beta-caryophyllene was also the attractant for some herbivorous insects such as the weevil [55] and the damson hop aphid [56].…”