Laboratory and greenhouse evaluation of a synthetic host volatile attractant for Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

Abstract

1 The attractiveness of potato plants treated with a synthetic host volatile blend [(Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (þ/-)-linalool, and methyl salicylate] to newly emerged and 5-day-old adult Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), was compared at four doses against untreated control plants and plants treated with an azadirachtin-based antifeedant in greenhouse cage arenas. 2 Attractant-treated plants (derived release rates of 0, 5.7, 17.1 or 57 mg/h) were significantly more attractive than untreated control plants to newly emerged and 5-day-old adults only at 57 mg/h. 3 Attractant-treated plants were significantly more attractive than antifeedanttreated plants to newly emerged and 5-day-old adults at the 5.7 mg/h treatment level and higher. Mean insect density on attractant-treated plants in the attractant/antifeedant study was significantly higher than in the attractant/control study. 4 Habituation to the synthetic attractant was evaluated by exposing adult beetles to the synthetic attractant for 0, 1, 2.5, 4, 8, 12 or 16 h, before release into a wind tunnel in which an attractant-baited plant model was placed at the upwind end. Insects exposed to the synthetic host attractant for 8 h moved to the synthetic attractant-baited plant model whereas insects exposed to the synthetic host attractant for 12 and 16 h did not. Furthermore, beetles exposed to the synthetic attractant for 0 and 1 h moved at rates greater than, or equal to, the median whereas beetles exposed for longer time periods moved at rates significantly less than the median. 5 These results demonstrate the potential for using the synthetic plant attractant and an antifeedant as components in a stimulo-deterrent strategy for management of the Colorado potato beetle as shown by us in another study.

Semiochemical-based alternatives to synthetic toxicant insecticides for pollen beetle management

“…Once identified, there is potential to breed OSR lines that have lower levels of phagostimulants to reduce susceptibility or have altered chemical profiles to deter feeding. Alternatively, effective exogenous antifeedant treatments could be developed such as those based on neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) extracts that are known to be effective against other herbivorous insects (Smart et al 1994;Martel et al 2005).…”

Effect of temperature on efficacy of three natural substances to Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

“…The contact insecticidal effects of slaked lime and refined rape oil were compared to that of the natural insecticide azadirachtin. The efficacy of the latter on Colorado potato beetle has been well established (Schrod et al, 1996;Zabel et al, 2002;Martel et al, 2005), but the availability of such data for the first two is scarce (Abdalla et al, 1991;Loockwood et al, 2001;Trdan et al, 2006). We started with two hypotheses: namely, that the temperature of the environment has a significant influence on the efficacy of the tested substances and that there is also a significant difference in the susceptibility of different developmental stages to the substances in question.…”

Leaf surface compounds of the potato (Solanum tuberosum) and their influence on Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) feeding

“…Moreover, infestation results in increased amounts of potato volatiles emitted. Dickens (2000) identified potato volatiles attractive to both larvae and adults of CPB and Martel et al (2005) developed a synthetic attractant blend for this pest.…”