Semiochemical‐mediated oviposition behavior by female peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa

Abstract

The peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa (Say) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), is an important pest of commercial cultivations of peach trees, Prunus persicae (L.) (Rosaceae). Identification of semiochemicals that mediate host selection by adult S. exitiosa may lead to the development of a new earth‐friendly tactic within integrated programs for control of S. exitiosa. Larvae develop in the phloem of peach trees where their feeding stimulates the production of gum frass, a mixture of tree phloem particles, tree sap (gum), and larval feces (frass). We tested the hypothesis that gum‐frass semiochemicals signal a potential host tree, and induce oviposition by female S. exitiosa. In coupled gas chromatographic‐electroantennographic detection analyses of Porapak Q‐collected gum frass volatiles, 21 compounds elicited responses from male or female S. exitiosa antennae. These compounds included four acids, four hydrocarbons, four ketones, three acetates, two aldehydes, γ‐decalactone, conophthorin, 2‐phenylethanol, and 2‐isopropyl‐3‐methoxypyrazine. In dual‐choice laboratory experiments, all groups of compounds, except the acetates, were needed to induce significantly more egg laying by female S. exitiosa on treatment than on unbaited control oviposition sites. By responding to gum frass semiochemicals, female S. exitiosa seem to exploit signals that are complex, detectable, and that reliably indicate a potential host tree for larval development.

Influence of <I>Prunus</I> spp., Peach Cultivars, and Bark Damage on Oviposition Choices by the Lesser Peachtree Borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

“…Given our current results, it is possible that scarce bark wounds and possibly more peach volatiles being released from those roughened areas of bark than elsewhere attracted S. pictipes for oviposition. Similarly, Derksen et al (2007) reported that S. exitiosa oviposited in response to semiochemicals from the combination of peach gum and S. exitiosa larval frass.…”

Postmating Behavior of Female Dogwood Borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in Apple Orchards

“…gravid females. Electrophysiological bioassays conducted by Derksen et al (2007) showed 21 compounds from gum-frass mixtures that elicited antennal responses by male and female S. exitiosa. Synthetic blends containing all 21 compounds, and synthetic blends containing all compounds except three acetates, stimulated signiÞcantly higher rates of oviposition compared with unbaited controls.…”

Cocoon‐spinning larvae of Oriental fruit moth and Indianmeal moth do not produce aggregation pheromone

“…For example, larvae of the coniferophagous great spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans produce an aggregation pheromone and feed in groups rather than in individual tunnels, resulting in an increased growth rate ( Deneubourg et al , 1990;Storer et al , 1997 ). Similarly, phloem-feeding larvae of the greater peachtree borer moth Synanthedon exitiosa produce a twocomponent pheromone [( Z )-9-octadecenyl acetate, ( Z , Z )-9,12-octadecadienyl acetate] that attracts conspecific larvae in laboratory bioassays ( Derksen, 2006 ). However, the fitness benefits to individuals that use this pheromone are not known.…”