Abstract
A feeding bioassay forPissodes strobi Peck was developed that consisted of plastic petri dishes containing paired agar disks immersed in paraffin wax. Lens paper covering the top surface of the disks provided 1, 2, or 3 weevils in each replicate with a surface through which they made regular feeding punctures which could be easily counted. The number of feeding punctures was correlated with the amount of agar ingested. Candidate feeding stimulants or deterrents were applied to the paper covering one of the disks in the dishes, while the other served as a solvent control. Feeding stimulants were tested using disks of pure agar, and deterrents were assayed on agar disks that contained 2% ground, dried Sitka spruce bark,Picea sitchensis Carr. The weevils exhibited a concentration-dependent response to the amount of spruce bark in the agar disk. Feeding stimulation by Sitka spruce bark extracts, and deterrency by leaf oil of western red cedar,Thuja plicata Donn, was demonstrated. The bioassay would be useful in chemical isolation programs aimed at identification of feeding stimulants and deterrents.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, J.M., andFisher, K.C. 1956. Repellency and host specificity in the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi).Physiol Zool. 29:314–324.
Anderson, J.M., andFisher, K.C. 1960. The response of white pine weevil to naturally occurring repellents.Can. J. Zool. 38:58–67.
Hedin, P.A., Maxwell, F.G., andJenkins, J.N. 1974. Insect plant attractants, feeding stimulants, repellents, deterrents and other related factors affecting insect behavior, pp. 494–527,in F.G. Maxwell and F.A. Harris (eds.). Proceedings of the Summer Institute on Biological Control of Plant Insects and Diseases. University of Mississippi Press, Jackson, Mississippi. 647 pp.
Keller, J.C., Maxwell, F.G., andJenkins, J.N. 1962. Cotton extracts as arrestants and feeding stimulants for the boll weevil.J. Econ. Entomol. 55:800.
Munakata, K. 1977. Insect feeding deterrents in plants, pp. 93–102,in H.H. Shorey and J.J. McKelvey (eds.). Chemical Control of Insect Behaviour. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 414 pp.
Peacock, J.W., Kennedy, B.H., andFisk, F.W. 1967. A bioassay technique for elm bark beetle feeding stimulants.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 60:480–481.
VanderSar, T.D.J., andBorden, J.H. 1977a. Visual orientation ofPissodes strobi Peck (Coleoptera:Curculionidae) in relation to host selection behaviour.Can. J. Zool. 55: 2042–2049.
VanderSar, T.D.J., andBorden, J.H. 1977b. Aspects of host selection behaviour ofPissodes strobi Peck (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as revealed in laboratory feeding bioassays.Can. J. Zool. 55:405–414.
Veith, G.D., andKiwus, L.M. 1977. An exhaustive steam-distillation and solvent-extraction unit for pesticides and industrial chemicals.Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 17:631–636.
Zerillo, R.T., andOdell, T.M. 1973. White pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck): a rearing procedure and artificial medium.J. Econ. Entomol. 66:593–594.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Research supported by National Research Council of Canada Cooperative Grant A0243 and Operating Grants A3881 and A3706.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alfaro, R.I., Pierce, H.D., Borden, J.H. et al. A quantitative feeding bioassay forPissodes strobi Peck (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J Chem Ecol 5, 663–671 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986551
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986551