Behavioral Responses of Diabroticite Beetles to Selected Olfactory and Visual Cues (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Deem, Lesley S.
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/86471
Description
Title
Behavioral Responses of Diabroticite Beetles to Selected Olfactory and Visual Cues (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Author(s)
Deem, Lesley S.
Issue Date
2009
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Francis, Bettina M.
Department of Study
Entomology
Discipline
Entomology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Chemistry, Agricultural
Language
eng
Abstract
The experiments described in this dissertation were designed to identify selected visual and chemical cues used by adult beetles in the section Diabroticite (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Luperini, Diabroticina) (Smith and Lawrence, 1967) for identifying host plants, and to identify interactions among these cues. Combinations of plant volatile kairomones were used to examine species differences in response to different mixtures: indole with methoxycinnamaldehyde; indole with methoxyphenethanol; and the three-chemical combination of indole with 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene and E-cinnamaldehyde (TIC). Naturally produced corn terpenoids (beta-ionone, geranyl acetone, alpha-terpineol, linalool, geraniol) attracted corn rootworms before and after silking, but were ineffective during the period of silking. Indole strongly synergized beta-ionone for D. v. virgifera and geranyl acetone for D. barberi at ratios ranging from 100:1 to 1:1 (terpenoid:indole). The attractant effects of visual cues (shape, color and trap height) in the presence and absence of chemical attractants were also evaluated. Studies were carried out under field conditions, using naturally occurring populations of Diabroticite beetles in a field of Blue Hubbard squash and along hybrid corn fields. Differences were found in species response to chemical attractants; however, indole was a potent synergizer for all of the species, despite differences in its attractiveness when presented alone. Differences were also found in the strength of species response to trap color, but yellow traps were generally preferred to green. A preference for triangular or square trap shape over round was seen in several species. Finally, traps positioned near the ground amongst the foliage attracted more beetles than either traps at just above the foliage canopy or those at 1 meter. These results can be used to design better traps for monitoring and control, thus contributing to the available arsenal of integrated pest management strategies.
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