Journal of Applied Entomology (2008) 132, 490-496

J. Van den Berg, B. Torto, J.A. Pickett, L.E. Smart, L.J. Wadhams and C.M. Woodcock (2008)
Influence of visual and olfactory cues on field trapping of the pollen beetle, Astylus atromaculatus (Col.: Melyridae)
Journal of Applied Entomology 132 (6), 490-496
Abstract: Field trapping experiments investigated the response of the pollen beetle Astylus atromaculatus to visual and olfactory cues during a 3-year period, 1999-2001. The visual preference of the pollen beetle was determined using yellow, white, blue, green and red water traps. The yellow trap was most attractive, capturing 56% of the total beetles trapped, with 30% caught by the blue and white traps, while 14% was caught by the red and green traps. The response of the beetle to olfactory cues was then evaluated by using the yellow water trap with three antennally active components identified in the volatiles of sorghum panicles by coupled gas chromatography (GC)-electroantennographic detection and GC-mass spectrometry. These components were 2-phenylethanol, benzyl alcohol and linalool. There were no significant colour × chemical compound interactions and traps baited with 2-phenylethanol captured significantly more beetles than unbaited traps, irrespective of trap colour, demonstrating the effectiveness of olfactory cues in trapping the pollen beetle. Traps baited with 2-phenylethanol were more attractive than and caught more beetles than traps baited with linalool. 2-Phenylethanol had the greatest effect on the relatively unattractive blue trap, confirming the importance of olfactory cues mediating A. atromaculatus attraction.
(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): Johnnie van den Berg, Baldwyn Torto, John A. Pickett

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Astylus atromaculatus