Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #122808
Title: CHEMICAL SIGNALS IN THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE: NEUROSENSORY AND HORMONAL MECHANISMS REGULATING THEIR PRODUCTION AND BEHAVIORS ELICTIED BY THEM.

Author
item Dickens, Joseph
item Oliver, James
item HOLLISTER, BENEDICT - UNIV OF MD
item Klun, Jerome

Submitted to: European Journal of Entomology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of potatoes where they are grown. The nature of chemically mediated behavior of CPB and the identification of specific chemicals responsible for it have been investigated by numerous researchers throughout the world. Recently, we identified a number of synthetic blends of plant volatiles that attract CPB in both laboratory bioassays and field tests. Now we have discovered other volatile chemicals produced by CPB that modify behavior of conspecifics. We will discuss how these chemicals were discovered, how they regulate behavior, and neural mechanisms involved in their detection. Based on the studies presented here and other recent results, a model was developed to account for host plant selection and reproduction in CPB.