Entomological Research (2011) 41, 7-17

Thangaraj Seenivasagan and A.V. Navarajan Paul (2011)
Electroantennogram and flight orientation response of Cotesia plutellae to hexane extract of cruciferous host plants and larvae of Plutella xylostella
Entomological Research 41 (1), 7-17
Abstract: The braconid wasp Cotesia plutellae is an important larval parasitoid of the diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella, which a major pest of crucifers in the tropics and subtropics. The peripheral olfactory responses of antennal chemoreceptors of C. plutellae to various cruciferous host plants of DBM and host larval body (cuticle) extracts were examined by electroantennogram (EAG) detection and the behavioral response to a concentration of 1% was analyzed in a Y-tube olfactometer. Females of C. plutellae exhibited dose-dependant EAG response for all the extracts tested. Antennal stimulation with 0.1 and 1% concentrations elicited stronger EAG responses than lower concentrations for all the extracts. Host plant extracts were more stimulatory to virgin females, while gravid females exhibited increased antennal sensitivity to host larval body extract odors. In the flight orientation studies, virgin females exhibited increased orientation toward host plant extracts, while gravid females oriented more toward host larval body odors. The EAG response profile and the corresponding orientation behavior revealed a differential preference by the parasitoid wasp to host plant and host-related cues. Mustard and cauliflower extracts were more attractive to females than other extracts. The possible behavioral manipulation of this specialist parasitoid using these extracts for effective biological control of diamondback moth is discussed.
(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): Thangaraj Seenivasagan, A.V. Navarajan Paul

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Plutella xylostella
Cotesia vestalis (parasitoid)	Plutella xylostella