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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #390685
Research Project: Mitigation of Invasive Pest Threats to U.S. Subtropical Agriculture

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Behavioral response of the hibiscus bud weevil, Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., plant parts and associated volatiles

Author
item GREENE, DANIEL - University Of Florida
item VELAZQUEZ HERNANDEZ, YISELL - University Of Florida
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item Cloonan, Kevin
item Kendra, Paul
item REVYNTHI, ALEXANDRA - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America, Southwestern and Southeastern Branch
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2021
Publication Date: 3/26/2022
Citation: Greene, A. D., Y. Y. Velazquez Hernandez, N. Tabanca, K. Cloonan, P. E. Kendra, and A. M. Revynthi. Behavioral response of the hibiscus bud weevil, Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., plant parts and associated volatiles. Joint meeting of the Entomological Society of America Southeastern Branch and the American Phytopathological Society Caribbean Division. San Juan, PR. 26-30 Mar 2022.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Recognition of specific plant volatiles in herbivorous insects can reveal information on plant species, nutritional quality, and prior infestation status. As a result, behavioral and physiological responses may occur in these insects. Therefore, the identification of specific plant volatiles that mediate behavioral responses (i.e., semiochemicals) in insects is of great importance from a pest management perspective, as these compounds may be used to monitor, repel, or attract-and-kill insects in agricultural settings. Although the newly invasive hibiscus bud weevil, Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is known to feed and oviposit on China rose hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., buds in south Florida, the response of this pest to specific hibiscus plant parts and associated volatiles has yet to be assessed. In this study, we conducted binary choice bioassays to determine how the behavior of adult A. testaceosquamosus was affected by (1) the major chemical compounds within hibiscus buds, flowers, and leaves (‘Painted lady’ variety); (2) the hibiscus buds, flowers, and leaves themselves; and (3) commercial Anthonomus spp. lures. Because little is known regarding A. testaceosquamosus biology, factors such as light (no light vs. laboratory lighting), olfactometer orientation (horizontal vs. vertical), and olfactometer type (arena vs. y-tube) were experimentally varied to determine which combination of factors resulted in the greatest percentage of weevil respondents. Results from this study will be vital to the development of a monitoring program for A. testaceosquamosus in hibiscus operations across south Florida.