Arthropod-Plant Interactions (2009) 3, 173-179

Lynda E. Perkins, Bronwen W. Cribb, Jim Hanan and Myron P. Zalucki (2009)
The role of two plant-derived volatiles in the foraging movement of 1st instar Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner): time to stop and smell the flowers
Arthropod-Plant Interactions 3 (3), 173-179
Abstract: Positive phototaxis and negative geotaxis are behaviours that 1st instar Helicoverpa armigera use to direct their foraging movement upward towards nutritious new plant growth and reproductive structures. Odours emitted by fruits or seeds can attract larvae directly via chemotaxis. In this study we clarify the effect of leaf and flower odours on foraging 1st instar H. armigera. Using a Y-tube olfactometer we tested for chemotaxis towards two plant volatiles and found larvae were not attracted. Bioassays for phototaxis towards UV, blue, green and white light showed that a green leaf volatile ((Z)-3-hexenyl acetate) and a flower volatile (phenylacetaldehyde) reduced larval phototaxis towards blue light. Feeding on a host plant reduced phototaxis towards blue and green light. We concluded that the upward movement of 1st instars on plants is largely due to phototaxis towards the blue wavelengths of skylight. Plant attributes such as volatile chemicals affect the expression of phototaxis and therefore, indirectly influence larval movement to locate food resources.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Lynda E. Perkins, Myron P. Zalucki

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Helicoverpa armigera