Plant Mycotoxin Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
Fungal Functional Genomics
Imaging and Sorting Lab
 

Research Project: Chemical approaches to eliminate fungal contamination and mycotoxin production in plant products

Location: Plant Mycotoxin Research

Title: Volatiles emissions from the flea beetle Altica litigata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) associated with invasive Ludwigia hexapetala

Authors

Submitted to: Chemoecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 8, 2011
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Repository URL: http://www.springerlink.com/content/776461g6x6113x38/
Citation: Carruthers, R.I., Franc, M.K., Gee, W.S., Cosse, A.A., Grewell, B.J., Beck, J.J. 2011. Volatiles emissions from the flea beetle Altica litigata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) associated with invasive Ludwigia hexapetala. Chemoecology. 21(4):253-259.

Interpretive Summary: The water primrose flea beetle Altica litigata (family Chrysomelidae) is a known insect pest to several nursery plants due to its aggressive feeding behavior – typically carried out in significant numbers. This aggregate feeding usually results in severe defoliation of their host plant. However, because of this tendency to defoliate its host other flea beetles within the same family of insects are used as biocontrol agents of the invasive weed, leafy spurge. Despite the apparent conflicting economic adversity to nursery plants and the potential environmental benefits there are few reports on the chemical communication (semiochemical) of this family of insects. Creeping water primrose (Ludwigia hexapetala) is an invasive aquatic weed in California.

Technical Abstract: The water primrose flea beetle Altica litigata (family Chrysomelidae) is a known insect pest to several nursery plants due to its aggressive feeding behavior – typically carried out in significant numbers. This aggregate feeding usually results in severe defoliation of their host plant. However, because of this tendency to defoliate its host other flea beetles within the same family of insects are used as biocontrol agents of the invasive weed, leafy spurge. Despite the apparent conflicting economic adversity to nursery plants and the potential environmental benefits there are few reports on the chemical communication (semiochemical) of this family of insects. Creeping water primrose (Ludwigia hexapetala) is an invasive aquatic weed in California wetlands and is a host of A. litigata. The volatile emissions of the flea beetle were collected while they were: 1) in containers by themselves; 2) in containers with L. hexapetala leaves; 3) in situ on L. hexapetala leaves in a growth chamber; and, 4) in situ on L. hexapetala leaves in the field. Two volatile chemicals identical to other known compounds from different flea beetle species were detected from A. litigata.

   

 
Project Team
Beck, John
Light, Douglas - Doug
Haff, Ronald - Ron
Palumbo, Jeffrey - Jeff
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Food Safety, (animal and plant products) (108)
 
Related Projects
   AN EFFECTIVE LURE FOR RELIABLE DETECTION AND CONTROL OF THE FEMALE NAVEL ORANGEWORM (NOW) MOTH
   AN EFFECTIVE LURE FOR RELIABLE DETECTION AND CONTROL OF THE FEMALE NAVEL ORANGEWORM (NOW) MOTH
   RAPID, NON-INVASIVE, AND EARLY WARNING DETECTION OF MYCOTOXIGENIC ASPERGILLI ON ALMONDS AND PISTACHIOS IN HOLDING, STORAGE, AND TRANSIT
   Rapid, non-invasive, and early warning detection of Mycotoxigenic Aspergilli on almonds and pistachios in holding, storage, and transit
   Analysis of Volatiles from Aspergilli Contaminated Pistachios
 
 
Last Modified: 05/22/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House