Olfactory responses of Lariophagus distinguendus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to volatile signals derived from host habitats
2009
Tang, Q. | Wu, Y. | Liu, B. | Yu, Z., Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, (P.R. China). Key Laboratory of Ion Beam Bioengineering
The responses of female Lariophagus distinguendus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to volatile signals derived from its host habitats were investigated in a static four-chamber olfactometer. Results demonstrated that the L. distingeundus females, regardless of experience, were apparently attracted by the odors released from the feces of Sitophilus zeamais adult that have never been applied in previous researches. Moreover, the responses of female parasitoids were compared to odors released from grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum Linn.) damaged by S. zeamais larvae, S. zeamais males, S. zeamais females and grains that were damaged mechanically. Results showed that artificially-damaged grains did not emit large amounts of volatiles that attracted the experienced parasitoid females emitted by grains damaged by S. zeamais larvae or females. Further experiments revealed that the experienced L.distinguendus females were strongly attracted to the wheat grains which had been infused with extract from the heads and thoraxes of weevil larvae or adult females compared with the wheat grains which had been infused with sodium phosphate. Eavesdropping on the sex pheromone signals emitted to attract mates allowed many predators and parasitoids to find and attack their host. The S.zeamais aggregation pheromones are also useful signals for experienced L.distinguendus females because their hosts, the larvae of the maize weevil S.zeamais, frequently exist in nearby grains. The effect of experience on the response of the parasitoids to several stimuli is also discussed.
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