Journal of Chemical Ecology

, Volume 31, Issue 8, pp 1829–1843 | Cite as

Responses of Flea Beetle Phyllotreta cruciferae to Synthetic Aggregation Pheromone Components and Host Plant Volatiles in Field Trials

  • Juliana J. Soroka
  • Robert J. Bartelt
  • Bruce W. Zilkowski
  • Allard A. Cossé
Article
First Online:
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Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

Male-specific compounds, previously identified from Phyllotreta cruciferae and synthesized or isolated from natural sources, attracted both sexes of the beetle in field trials and therefore function as components of a male-produced aggregation pheromone. Six field experiments of 7 to 10 d duration each were conducted over 2 yr using modified boll weevil traps and two doses of pheromone. Treatments containing two doses of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a breakdown product of glucosinolates in Brassica napus L., a host plant of the beetles, were included in the study. A dose response was observed for both the pheromone components and AITC, and combinations of the pheromone and AITC generally attracted greater numbers of flea beetles than did either component itself. This increased attraction to a combination of beetle-produced compounds and host odors has not been previously demonstrated in halticine beetles and could help explain patterns of movement by P. cruciferae into field crops.

Key Words

Phyllotreta cruciferae crucifer-feeding flea beetle aggregation pheromone Chrysomelidae: Alticinae field trials kairomone 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

We thank the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres SARCAN Recycling for donation of the trap tops and the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre for use of test sites. The technical help of Larry Grenkow and Jennifer Holowachuk is greatly appreciated.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2005

Authors and Affiliations

  • Juliana J. Soroka
    • 1
  • Robert J. Bartelt
    • 2
  • Bruce W. Zilkowski
    • 2
  • Allard A. Cossé
    • 2
  1. 1.Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaSaskatoon Research CentreSaskatoonCanada
  2. 2.USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization ResearchCrop Bioprotection Research UnitPeoriaUSA

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