Biocontrol Science and Technology (2007) 17, 273-284

Kimberley J. Riley, Ulrich Kuhlmann, Peter G. Mason, Jay Whistlecraft, Lynda J. Donald and Neil J. Holliday (2007)
Can mustard seed meal increase attacks by Aleochara spp. on Delia radicum in oilseed rape?
Biocontrol Science and Technology 17 (3), 273-284
Abstract: Responses to mustard seed meal of two parasitic beetles, Aleochara bipustulata and A. bilineata, were assessed by measuring levels of parasitism of Delia radicum puparia and of root damage to oilseed rape, and by pitfall trapping of the beetles. Levels of parasitism and trap catches of A. bipustulata were higher in meal-treated plots than in untreated control plots; however, there were no significant effects on A. bilineata, numbers of D. radicum in roots or on levels of root damage. Olfactometry confirmed the absence of response by A. bilineata and showed that A. bipustulata is attracted to volatiles released by dry or wet mustard seed meal. From GC-MS, the most abundant volatiles from mustard seed meal were limonene and structurally-similar compounds. These results are discussed with respect to mechanism of attraction, the host finding cues used by the major parasitoids of D. radicum, and the value of mustard seed meal for enhancing biological control.
(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): Peter G. Mason, Ulrich Kuhlmann, Neil J. Holliday

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Delia radicum	Rape/canola (Brassica napus)
Aleochara bilineata (parasitoid)	Delia radicum	Rape/canola (Brassica napus)
Aleochara bipustulata (parasitoid)	Delia radicum	Rape/canola (Brassica napus)