Volatile unsaturated hydrocarbons emitted by seedlings of Brassica species provide host location cues to Bagrada hilaris
Bagrada hilaris Burmeister, is a stink bug native to Asia and Africa and invasive in the United States, Mexico, and more recently, South America. This species can cause serious damage to various vegetable crops in the genus Brassica, with seedlings being particularly susceptible to B. hilaris feeding activity. In this study, the role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by seedlings of three Brassica species on the host preference of B. hilaris was evaluated. In dual choice arena and olfactometer bioassays, adult painted bugs preferred B. oleracea var. botrytis and B. napus over B. carinata. Volatiles from B. oleracea seedlings were collected and bioassayed with B. hilaris adults an…
Evaluation of Brassicaceae seedlings as trap plants for Bagrada hilaris Burmeister in Caper bush cultivations
The caper bush, Capparis spinosa (Brassicales: Capparaceae), is intensively grown on Pantelleria Island (Trapani, Sicily, Sicilian channel) where it has been granted protected geographical indication (PGI) by the EU. On this island, Bagrada hilaris, a stink bug native of Asia and Africa, is the major pest of caper crops. Recent studies have shown the attraction of B. hilaris to volatiles of brassicaceous plants at the seedling stage. The objective of this study was to evaluate three cotyledon-stage seedlings of host plants, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (cauliflower), Eruca sativa (rocket) and Brassica carinata (Abyssinian cabbage), as potential trap plants for B. hilaris. The relative pr…
The Role of (E)-2-octenyl Acetate as a Pheromone of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister): Laboratory and Field Evaluation
The pentatomid bug Bagrada hilaris is a key pest of brassicaceous crops in several areas of the world. Previous studies suggest that mate location of this species is mediated by volatile chemicals produced by males, among which the main compound is (E)-2-octenyl acetate. However, the possible attraction of males, females, and nymphs to this compound has not yet been specifically tested. In this study, we tested the response of B. hilaris females, males, and nymphs to (E)-2-octenyl acetate using an electroantennogram (EAG) and olfactometer in the presence or absence of a host plant. Moreover, (E)-2-octenyl acetate as an attractant lure in field trap bioassays was evaluated. EAG recordings sh…
Identification of Brassicadiene, a Diterpene Hydrocarbon Attractive to the Invasive Stink Bug Bagrada hilaris, from Volatiles of Cauliflower Seedlings, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Brassicadiene, a novel tricyclic diterpene hydrocarbon, was identified by a combination of mass spectrometry, microchemical tests, and analysis of NMR spectra. The compound constitutes >90% of the volatile organic compounds produced by cauliflower seedlings, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis. The invasive stink bug Bagrada hilaris is strongly attracted to brassicadiene, providing a mechanism for this herbivore, which specializes on cruciferous plants, to locate its hosts in a nutrient-rich and vulnerable stage.
Chemical ecology of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): intraspecific and interspecific chemical cues
The chemical ecology of Heteroptera insects is determined by a wide array of chemical signals (semiochemicals) that drive their behavior at intra- and inter-specific level. Intraspecific semiochemicals are called pheromones, interspecific chemicals are named allelochemicals. In the case of stink bugs, sex-pheromones and aggregation pheromone are produced by adult males. Furthermore, phytophagous stink bugs exploit chemical cues emitted from plants to find a suitable food and oviposition source. The semiochemicals involved in this process are named kairomones and are generally formed by specific blend or key odorants emitted from host plant. The chemical ecology of the phytophagous Pentatomi…
Only Females Oviposit: Chemical Discrimination of Adult Stink Bug Sex by the Egg Parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus
Egg parasitoids foraging for suitable hosts scattered in the environment rely mainly on chemical cues. Elucidating the chemical ecology of natural enemies is important in the development of effective and successful strategies for conservation biological control. In this context, the host cuticular hydrocarbons, which are exploited by several species of egg parasitoids as contact kairomones, could be used to retain them by providing information about the presence and the sex of adults of the target species: sex is important because only females of the host species lay the eggs that can be subsequently utilized for parasitoid reproduction. However, the chemical basis of host sex discriminatio…
Odorants of Capsicum spp. Dried Fruits as Candidate Attractants for Lasioderma serricorne F. (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)
The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne F. (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) is an important food storage pest affecting the tobacco industry and is increasingly impacting museums and herbaria. Monitoring methods make use of pheromone traps which can be implemented using chili fruit powder. The objective of this study was to assess the response of L. serricorne to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from different chili powders in order to identify the main semiochemicals involved in this attraction. Volatiles emitted by Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens, and C. chinense dried fruit powders were tested in an olfactometer and collected and analyzed using SPME and GC-MS. Results indicated that C. an…