Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2006) 119, 255-263

Peter A. Edde and Thomas W. Phillips (2006)
Potential host affinities for the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica: behavioral responses to host odors and pheromones and reproductive ability on non-grain hosts
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 119 (3), 255-263
Abstract: Behavioral responses of male and female Rhyzopertha dominica L. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) to odors from pulverized wheat seeds, peanuts, cowpeas, potato tubers, acorns, and twigs from cedar and pine were compared in dual-choice, still-air bioassays. We investigated the reproductive success of R. dominica on five of the seven plant tissues (wheat, peanuts, cowpeas, dried potato tubers, and acorns). A field experiment was also conducted to investigate responses of dispersing R. dominica to semiochemicals emitted by live males placed on different plant species. Results showed that both sexes of R. dominica responded to plant volatiles, but responses were strongest to seeds of wheat, a plant species judged to be most suitable for beetle development due to the number of progeny produced on the plant species. Similarly, insects reared on wheat were heavier than those reared on less suitable materials. In general, behavioral responses by males to plant volatiles were faster than responses by females. Responses of conspecifics to aggregation pheromones produced by males feeding on different host materials were skewed toward females although both sexes were attracted. Male R. dominica feeding on wheat recruited more conspecifics than beetles feeding on less suitable hosts (acorns, cowpeas, peanut, and potato tubers).
(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 A. Edde, Thomas W. Phillips

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
environment - cropping system/rotation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rhyzopertha dominica