Differential response of male and female Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to bitter cucurbit-based toxic baits in relation to the treated area size |
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| Authors: | G Cabrera Walsh Federico Mattioli Donald C Weber |
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| Institution: | 1. FuEDEI (Invasive Species Research Foundation), Bolívar 1559, -B1686EFA- Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina;2. USDA Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA |
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| Abstract: | Cucurbitacin-rich extracts are phagostimulants for both male and female Luperini, but field trials reveal that males are far more attracted to them than females. The sex ratio and number of beetles killed by an application of cucurbitacin-based toxic baits was assessed at two different scales: small areas of 100 m2, and a larger area of 10,000 m2. The small area bait applications killed mostly males (95.2%), but the 1-ha treated plot showed a lower sexual bias (57% male). An earlier study indicated point sources (sticky traps) attracted only males. Results indicate that the distance attraction to bitter cucurbit extracts is almost exclusive to males, but the wide dispersal of a toxic bait based on them should promote encounter and control of both sexes within the treated area. No significant non-target effects were observed. |
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| Keywords: | behavioural dimorphism cucurbitacin bait kairomones non-target effects phagostimulants |
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