Arthropod-Plant Interactions (2016) 10, 517-524

Priscila Strapasson, Lino B. Monteiro and Paulo H.G. Zarbin (2016)
Electrophysiological and behavioral response of the oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta (Busck, 1916) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to the volatiles of apple fruits at different stages of development
Arthropod-Plant Interactions 10 (6), 517-524
Abstract: The oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta, occurs in Southern Brazil throughout the year, and migrates from peach to apple orchards. Because moths rely on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the host-location process, variations in the emission of these compounds during fruit maturation can influence the time of infestation and preference of the moths for a particular genotype. The aim of this work was to identify VOCs emitted by the apples "Eva" and "Gala" at different stages of development and to determine the behavioral and electrophysiological responses of G. molesta to these compounds. For this purpose, VOCs from immature, maturing, and mature fruits of both cultivars were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The response of the antennae of virgin males and females and mated females to volatiles released by the three fruit stages was registered by gas chromatography coupled to an electroantennography. A dual-choice behavioral test for the different combinations of insect groups and fruit stage was also performed. Amongst the volatiles released by mature fruits, twelve compounds elicited a response. The antennae of the oriental fruit moth did respond to isoamyl hexanoate and α-farnesene emitted by "Eva" maturing fruits. In general, virgin females did not respond to volatiles in olfactometer bioassays and mated females were attracted to volatiles released by mature fruits. Our results show that the variation in the emission during the maturation of fruits can influence the orientation of G. molesta.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Paulo Henrique Gorgatti Zarbin

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Grapholita molesta	Apple (Malus)	Brazil (south)