European Journal of Entomology (2010) 107, 541-548

A. Alhmedi, E. Haubruge and F. Francis (2010)
Identification of limonene as a potential kairomone of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
European Journal of Entomology 107 (4), 541-548
Abstract: Chemical cues involved in both host location and oviposition by Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were investigated in laboratory and field experiments. Among the five volatiles tested in a four-arm olfactometer ((E)-b-farnesene, b-pinene, b-caryophyllene, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, and limonene), gravid H. axyridis females were significantly attracted to limonene and b-caryophyllene. These two chemicals also increased H. axyridis oviposition on plants. Attraction of H. axyridis towards limonene was further tested under field conditions using controlled-release dispensers. (E)-b-farnesene, a major aphid alarm pheromone and a potential predator kaironome, was also tested in this study. Field data confirmed those from laboratory studies concerning the attraction of H. axyridis towards limonene and a lack of response to (E)-b-farnesene. In contrast, the aphid predator Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Diptera: Syrphidae) was attracted to (E)-b-farnesene but not to limonene. These findings indicate that H. axyridis uses chemicals, such as limonene, for prey location and oviposition, and support the potential use of volatiles in the management of H. axyridis.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Frédéric Francis

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Harmonia axyridis (predator)
Episyrphus balteatus (predator)