Electrophysiological And Behavioural Responses Of Female Isoceras Sibirica (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) To Volatiles Produced By The Plant, Asparagus Officinalis

In herbivorous insects plant volatiles have an important role in locating mates and oviposition sites. The aim of this study was to test the antennal and behavioural responses of females of Isoceras sibirica Alpheraky (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) to the volatiles produced by Asparagus officinalis L. Electroantennographs (EAG) revealed that the antennae of I. sibirica respond in a dose dependent way to hexanal, limonene, 2-ethyl-2-hexenal, linalool and a-terpineol. In flight tunnel experiments, 2-ethyl-2-hexenal, alpha-terpineol, hexanal, rho-cymene and geraniol were significantly more attractive to females of I. sibirica than other chemicals. These findings indicate that host volatiles are important for host recognition in I. sibirica.