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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #85990

Title: SURVEY OF WEEVIL PHEROMONES (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

Author
item Bartelt, Robert

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Weevils constitute the largest family of beetles. The more than 40,000 species use a wide range of habitats and hosts, and some of the species are serious agricultural pests. As for other insect groups, pheromones of weevils have been, and continue to be, studied as pest management tools. The majority of weevil pheromones investigated so far are produced by males and attract both males and females, but there are also various types of female-produced pheromones. Some of these attract males from a distance; others function at close range to allow recognition by males or are used to mark hosts on which eggs have been laid. Pheromone information is summarized for 33 species of weevils. Chemistry is presented where it is known. Many weevil pheromones have multiple components, and these are sometimes synergistic. Furthermore, pheromones and host plant volatiles are often synergistic as well. These complex chemical systems make behavioral studies with these insects difficult. Relevant reviews are cited to cover the practical development that has occurred with the pheromones of the boll weevil and sweetpotato weevil.