Biocontrol Science and Technology (2005) 15, 271-279

Esther N. Ngumbi, Adele J. Ngi-Song, Eliud N.M. Njagi, Rita Torto, Lester J. Wadhams, Michael A. Birkett, John A. Pickett, William A. Overholt and Baldwyn Torto (2005)
Responses of the stem borer larval endoparasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to plant derived synomones: Laboratory and field cage experiments
Biocontrol Science and Technology 15 (3), 271-279
Abstract: Laboratory and field cage experiments investigated the response of females of the stem borer larval endoparasitoid Cotesia flavipes to two synthetic synomone components, the terpenoid (E)-ß-farnesene and the green leaf volatile, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, both compounds identified previously in headspace volatiles of maize plants damaged by stem borer (Chilo partellus). In dose response tests performed in a Y-tube olfactometer, parasitoids were significantly more attracted to the arms bearing 10 or 15 µg of (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and (E)-ß-farnesene than to the control arm. (E)-ß-Farnesene was as attractive as the essential oil from the plant Hemizygia petiolata (Lamiaceae) rich in the same compound (80% relative amount). The plant essential oil elicited responses from females of the parasitoid comparable to those elicited by two positive controls, stem borer larval frass and adult parasitoid diet (20% honey solution), tested in the laboratory assays. In field cage trapping experiments, captures in traps baited with the terpenoid, the plant essential oil, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and the control of 20% honey solution, were not significantly different relative to captures in unbaited traps. Addition of the green leaf volatile (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate to the plant essential oil to yield a 1:1 two-component blend captured significantly more female parasitoids than traps baited with either of the two components alone. The results show that blends of green leaf volatiles and sesquiterpenoids may have potential in monitoring C. flavipes populations in the field.
(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): William A. Overholt, Baldwyn Torto, Adele J. Ngi-Song, Michael A. Birkett, John A. Pickett

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.
Cotesia flavipes (parasitoid)