Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2009) 133, 174-185

Valerio Mazzoni, Andrea Lucchi, Andrej Cokl, Janez Presern and Meta Virant-Doberlet (2009)
Disruption of the reproductive behaviour of Scaphoideus titanus by playback of vibrational signals
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 133 (2), 174-185
Abstract: Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) is the vector of the grapevine disease Flavescence dorée. In S. titanus the male-female duet (MFD), based on species-specific vibrational signals, is essential for successful copulation. The female reply within a duet is a single pulse that is coupled with the male pulse with constant latency. It has been shown that a rival male can interrupt an existing duet by emitting disruptive noise signals. We tested whether the reproductive behaviour of S. titanus can be disrupted by the playback of intra-specific and synthesized vibrational signals. Tested males responded to the playback of an MFD with typical rivalry behaviour. Such behaviour includes silent search for a duetting female (satellite behaviour) and/or emission of disruptive signals. These signals were emitted either after exchange of male-female pulses or after two male pulses coupled by latency corresponding to the female response window. The onset of male disruptive signals overlapped with a female pulse. We suggest that the intruder's disruptive signals can mask the female reply and confuse courting males. Playback of disruptive vibrational signals reduced the level of male calling and interrupted an established MFD that consequently resulted in a significantly reduced number of copulations. These results indicate that the vibrational communication channel is open to interference either from abiotic environmental noise or from signals produced by sexual competitors or heterospecifics. The present study also suggests that a detailed understanding of leafhopper behaviour is essential for trying new approaches in the development of more environmentally friendly control practices.
(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): Valerio Mazzoni, Andrea Lucchi

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Scaphoideus titanus