Role of Semiochemicals in Prey-Locating Behavior of a Generalist Predatory Stink Bug, Eocanthecona Furcellata (Wolff) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Japan Agricultural Research Quarterly
ISSN 00213551
NII recode ID (NCID) AA0068709X
Full text

Behavioral responses of a generalist predatory stink bug, Eocanthecona furcellata towards larvae of several lepidopteran species were observed in order to analyze the role of semiochemicals in cliciting a prey-locating behavior in this bug. Extracts of Spodoptera litura larvae elicited approaching behavior in E. furcellata. A hexane-eluted fraction from silica gel chromatography of the larval extracts was also attractive to the bugs. The hexane fraction contained n-tetradecane, n-pentadecane, n-haptadecane, n-heptacosane, n-nonacosane, n-hentriacontane and 2, 6, 10, 15, 19, 23-hexamethyl-2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22-tetracosahexaene (squalene). Synthetic n-pentadecane was attractive to the bugs. On the other hand, a 15%-ether-in-hexane-eluted fraction from silica gel chromatography of the solvent extracts of S. litura stimulated bugs to display a proboscis-protruding behavior. (E) -3, 7, 11, 15- Teramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol [(E)-phytol] was identified in this fraction, and synthetic (E)-phytol showed the same effect on the bugs as the fraction. (E)-phytol content of larvae increased depending on the amount of chlorophyll in the diets. These results suggest that (E)-phytol in larvae, which is derived from chlorophyll in the prey diet, acts as an important cue in the prey-locating behavior of the generalist predatory stink bug, E. furcellata. In conclusion, the 2 different chemicals act as “kairomones” in the prey location for the predatory stink bug, E. furcellata.

Date of issued
Creator Tetsuya YASUDA
Available Online
NII resource type vocabulary Journal Article
Volume 34
Issue 1
spage 15
epage 20
Language eng

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