Abstract
Mated femaleHeliothis subflexa (Gn.) (HS) moths 1–7 days old responded positively in a Plexiglas flight tunnel to an attractant extracted with methanol from fresh whole-leaf washes of groundcherry,Physalis angulata L. Response to the groundcherry extract, as indicated by plume-tracking (i.e., upwind flight toward the odor source) and contact with the chemical dispenser did not change significantly during the first 5 hr of scotophase. Overall, ca. 50% of the responding moths also landed on the chemical dispenser; ca. 50% of the moths that landed also deposited eggs. There were no significant differences in the behavioral responses of females mating only once and those that had mated two or more times. Virgin females and male moths were significantly less responsive to the groundcherry attractant than mated females. The flight tunnel bioassay described provides an excellent system for evaluating plant allelochemics associated with host-plant selection.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brazzel, J.R., Newsome, L.D., Rousel, T.S., Lincoln, C., Williams, F.J., andBarnes, G. 1953. Bollworm and tobacco budworm as cotton pests in Louisiana and Arkansas.La. Agric. Exp. Stn. Tech. Bull. 482, 47 pp.
Guy, R.H., Leppla, N.C., Rye, J.R., Green, C.W., Barrett, S.L., andHollien, K.A. 1985.Trichoplusia ni, pp. 487–494,in P. Singh and R.F. Moore (eds.). Handbook of Insect Rearing, Vol. II. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam.
Jackson, D.M., Severson, R.F., Johnson, A.W., Chaplin, J.F., andStephenson, M.G. 1984. Ovipositional response of tobacco budworm moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to cuticular chemical isolates from green tobacco leaves.Environ. Entomol. 13:1023–1030.
Laster, M.L. 1972. Interspecific hybridization ofHeliothis virescens andH. subflexa.Environ. Entomol. 1:682–687.
Mitchell, E.R., andHeath, R.R. 1987.Heliothis subflexa (Gn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Demonstration of an oviposition stimulant from groundcherry using a novel bioassay.J. Chem. Ecol. 13(8):1849–1858.
Rembold, H., andTober, H. 1985. Kairomones as pigeonpea resistance factors againstHeliothis armigera.Insect Sci. Applic. 6:249–252.
Steel, R.G.D., andTorrie, J.H. 1960. Principles and Procedures of Statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Teal, P.E.A., McClaughlin, J.R., andTumlinson, J.H. 1981. Analysis of the reproductive behavior ofHeliothis virescens (F.) under laboratory conditions.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 74:324–330.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or the recommendation for its use by USDA.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tingle, F.C., Heath, R.R. & Mitchell, E.R. Flight response ofHeliothis subflexa (Gn.) females (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to an attractant from groundcherry,Physalis angulata L.. J Chem Ecol 15, 221–231 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02027784
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02027784