Entomologia Sinica (2000) 7, 344-350

Wen-Xia Dong, Zhong-Ning Zhang, Yu-Ling Fang, Feng Zhang and Wei Kan (2000)
Response of parasitoid Microplitis mediator to plant volatiles in an olfactometer
Entomologia Sinica 7 (4), 344-350
Abstract: The behavioral responses of Microplitis mediator were measured in a four-armed olfactometer. Leaves extract of the suitable host plant of its insect host, cotton, elicited higher olfactory responses; while leaves extract of the less suitable host plant of its insect host, tomato or tobacco, elicited moderate responses. Volatiles from the least suitable host plant of its insect host, hot pepper, elicited the lowest responses. The different preferences to four plant leaves extracts suggested that M. mediator could discriminate between suitable and less suitable host plants of its insect host by semiochemicals. Green leaf volatiles (GLVs), cis-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, hexanal, and nonan-1-ol, are the most attractive compound among the 7 tested compounds. The parasitoids preferred host-damaged plant to undamaged plant, suggesting that they were able to distinguish between host and non-host of their insect host through varying chemical blends. Experience with cotton leaves extract prior to experiment enhanced their responses to the same odor.
(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): Feng Zhang

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Microplitis mediator (parasitoid)