Journal of Chemical Ecology (2004) 30, 1629-1646

A. Stewart-Jones, R.J. Hodges, L.A. Birkinshaw and D.R. Hall (2004)
Responses of Teretrius nigrescens toward the dust and frass of its prey, Prostephanus truncatus
Journal of Chemical Ecology 30 (8), 1629-1646
Abstract: Teretrius nigrescens is considered to be a specialized predator of Prostephanus truncatus, a serious pest of stored maize and dried cassava roots. Using a bait-bag behavioral bioassay, this investigation found T. nigrescens to be strongly arrested by dust and frass produced by P. truncatus on maize, whereas responses to maize flour were weak. Attempts to increase the arrestiveness of flour by altering its physical properties (coarseness or particle size range) were unsuccessful. The arrestive property of dust/frass did not degrade with long-term storage nor did it volatilize or degrade with oven baking up to 150°C. However, extraction with methanol and reapplication was successful in transferring the arrestive property from the dust/frass onto maize flour. The prey dust/frass also induced more oviposition than did maize flour, as judged by production of F1 offspring. The results provide strong evidence for the existence of a high boiling point compound(s) in P. truncatus dust/frass that acts as a contact kairomone for T. nigrescens. This, or another compound(s) also seems to act as an oviposition stimulant for female T. nigrescens.
(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): A. Stewart-Jones, Richard J. Hodges, David Robert Hall

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Prostephanus truncatus
Teretrius nigrescens (predator)	Prostephanus truncatus