Environmental Entomology (2006) 35, 718-724

A. Sanon, C. Dabire, J. Huignard and J.P. Monge (2006)
Influence of Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae) on the host location behavior of the parasitoid Dinarmus basalis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)
Environmental Entomology 35 (3), 718-724
Abstract: The solitary larval parasitoid Dinarmus basalis Rondani is a promising biological control of Callosobruchus maculatus F, a major insect pest of stored cowpeas in West Africa. Farmers traditionally introduce Hyptis suaveolens L. Poit. leaves in their granaries for protection of cowpea seeds against bruchid damage. However, effects of botanical treatment using this plant on host location behavior and reproduction of D. basalis remain unknown. Olfactometer studies showed that sublethal doses of volatiles emitted by the crushed leaves and the essential oils were repellent for naive females D. basalis, which had previously developed in the absence of H. suaveolens volatiles. These females were able to move in a three-dimensional device and to avoid the host patches associated with H. suaveolens volatiles. Their reproductive activity was consequently reduced in such patches. Females, which had been exposed to sublethal doses of H. suaveolens volatiles during their postembryonic development, were no longer repelled or only partially repelled by the plant volatiles. A habituation process may be involved in the behavior of these D. basalis females. The importance of this habituation process is discussed within the scope of the integrated protection of cowpea seeds during storage.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Jean Paul Monge, Antoine Sanon

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Callosobruchus maculatus	Stored legumes	Burkina Faso
Dinarmus basalis (parasitoid)	Callosobruchus maculatus	Stored legumes	Burkina Faso