ATTRACTION OF DIAMONDBACK MOTHS, <i>PLUTELLA XYLOSTELLA</i> (L.) (LEPIDOPTERA: PLUTELLIDAE), BY VOLATILE COMPOUNDS OF CANOLA, WHITE MUSTARD, AND FABA BEAN

Abstract

Abstract The olfactory responses of male and female diamondback moths ( Plutella xylostella [L.]) to leaf extracts of the following plants were examined by behavioral and electrophysiological tests: white mustard ( Brassica hirta cv. Ochre); Argentine canola ( B . napus cv. Regent, B . napus cv. Westar); Polish canola ( B . campestris cv. Tobin); and faba bean ( Vicia faba ). In behavioral tests both two-choice and four-choice situations were used. All extracts attracted more moths than the control except for Regent canola extract which attracted males only. White mustard extract was about twice as attractive as that of Regent or faba bean. White mustard and faba bean extracts appeared slightly more attractive to females than to males. Oviposition was greatly stimulated by white mustard extract, but other extracts had no significant effect. Electroantennogram (EAG) tests showed that both male and female moths perceived the plant extracts through antennal receptors. Antennae of females gave a stronger EAG response than those of males, especially to white mustard and faba bean extracts.