Pest Management Science (2015) 71, 96-104

Zhengqun Zhang, Lei Bian, Xiaoling Sun, Zongxiu Luo, Zhaojun Xin, Fengjian Luo and Zongmao Chen (2015)
Electrophysiological and behavioural responses of the tea geometrid Ectropis obliqua (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) to volatiles from a non-host plant, rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae)
Pest Management Science 71 (1), 96-104
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
A plant-based 'push-pull' strategy for Ectropis obliqua (Prout) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is being developed using semiochemicals in the volatiles of Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae). The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the bioactive components within R. officinalis by gas chromatography–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and to test the antennal and behavioural responses of E. obliqua to these chemicals. The emission dynamics of bioactive chemicals was also monitored.
RESULTS
GC-EAD experiments indicated that E. obliqua antennae responded to the following volatile compounds from R. officinalis: myrcene, alpha-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, linalool, cis-verbenol, camphor, alpha-terpineol and verbenone, which were the minor constituents. Based on the dose-dependent antennal and behavioural responses of E. obliqua to these bioactive compounds, myrcene, gamma-terpinene, linalool, cis-verbenol, camphor and verbenone were found to play a key role in repelling the moths, and the mixture that included all eight compounds was significantly more effective. The maximum emissions of these semiochemicals occurred at nightfall.
CONCLUSIONS
The specifically bioactive compounds in R. officinalis volatiles are responsible for repelling E. obliqua adults. Results indicate that R. officinalis should be considered as a potential behaviour-modifying stimulus for 'push' components when developing 'push-pull' strategies for control of E. obliqua using semiochemicals.
(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): Xiao-Ling Sun

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ectropis obliqua