Bulletin of Entomological Research (2004) 94, 27-33

N. Maher and D. Thiéry (2004)
A bioassay to evaluate the activity of chemical stimuli from grape berries on the oviposition of Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Bulletin of Entomological Research 94 (1), 27-33
Abstract: A two-choice bioassay was developed to evaluate the role of host-plant berry compounds on the oviposition site acceptance of the generalist moth Lobesia botrana (Denis and Shiffermüller). A key feature was the lining of the bioassay arena with felt which focused oviposition on the test substrates. Initial experiments comparing substrates with different physical features indicated that smooth textures and spherical shapes with interstices favour oviposition. Artificial oviposition substrates were thus constructed with glass spheres in order to test the behavioural activity of grapevine berry extracts. Only polar extracts obtained by soaking berries in methanol or water stimulated oviposition (more eggs were laid on the extract-treated substrate than on the control substrate), whereas more apolar ones obtained with chloroform or hexane had no significant effect. The prior removal of epicuticular waxes from grape berries before extraction did not enhance the stimulatory activity of the methanol extract. The oviposition response to this extract was dose-dependent. It is concluded that polar compounds present on grape berries act as oviposition stimulants for L. botrana.
(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): Denis Thiéry

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lobesia botrana	Grapevine (Vitis)	France