Applied Entomology and Zoology (2002) 37, 535-541

Takeshi Shimoda, Rika Ozawa, Gen-ichiro Arimura, Junji Takabayashi and Takaaki Nishioka (2002)
Olfactory responses of two specialist insect predators of spider mites toward plant volatiles from lima bean leaves induced by jasmonic acid and/or methyl salicylate
Applied Entomology and Zoology 37 (4), 535-541
Abstract: The responses of two insect predators of spider mites, Scolothrips takahashii (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Oligota kashmirica benefica (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), to volatile compounds from leaves treated with aqueous jasmonic acid (JA) and/or gaseous methyl salicylate (MeSA) in an olfactometer were examined. Adult females of O. kashmirica benefica exhibited a significant preference for JA+MeSA-treated leaves when compared with uninfested leaves. In contrast, adult females of S. takahashii significantly preferred MeSA- and JA+MeSA-treated leaves to uninfested leaves. Neither predator showed any preference for JA-treated leaves when compared with uninfested leaves. The results argue in favor of manipulating the behavior of natural enemies of herbivores as a method of biological control against herbivorous pests in agroecosystems. This is the first report to suggest that MeSA can be a useful tool for enhancing the effectiveness of carnivorous natural enemies of spider mites.
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Database assignments for author(s): Junji Takabayashi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Oligota kashmirica (predator)
Scolothrips takahashii (predator)