BioControl (2005) 50, 343-358

J.A. Tansey, A.S. McClay, D.E. Cole and B.A. Keddie (2005)
Evidence for the influence of conspecific chemical cues on Aphthona nigriscutis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) behaviour and distribution
BioControl 50 (2), 343-358
Abstract: Although the distribution of biological control agents may have a significant effect upon their impacts, the mechanisms regulating these distributions are often unknown. Such is the case with Aphthona nigriscutis, a classical biological control agent of leafy spurge in North America. These beetles assume aggregated distributions at some sites but disperse rapidly at others. The potential influence of plant and insect-factors upon aggregation and dispersal was investigated to try to explain these observations. Male beetles produce a putative aggregation pheromone. Responses of conspecifics to male-associated cues are greater when beetles are feeding on host plants. Densities of beetle groups greatly impact their attractiveness. Males are more sensitive to dispersal cues and females are more sensitive to congregation cues.
(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): James A. Tansey, Basil Andrew Keddie, Alec McClay

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Euphorbia virgata (weed)
Aphthona nigriscutis (weed bioagent)	Euphorbia virgata (weed)