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Short-range resource location by Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) demonstrates a strong preference for fungi associated with cotton seed

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Ahmad, F., Daglish, G. J., Ridley, A. W., Burrill, P. R. and Walter, G. H. (2013) Short-range resource location by Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) demonstrates a strong preference for fungi associated with cotton seed. Journal of Stored Products Research, 52 . pp. 21-27. ISSN 0022474X (ISSN)

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2012.09.003

Abstract

Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a common stored grain pest for which a wide range of suitable resources has been recorded. These beetles are facultatively fungivorous and their resource range may extend to fungi associated with non-grain resources (e.g. cotton seed) and other decaying plant matter. Little is known with respect to fungi in terms of resource location by these beetles in the field. We, therefore, conducted a series of experiments in laboratory arenas, glasshouse cages and the field to determine how beetles respond to grain resources in relation to cotton seed (together with its lint stubble and associated fungal flora). Results from the tests conducted in relatively small arenas and cages in the laboratory and glasshouse reveal that the responses of T. castaneum adults to food resources were twice as strong when walking as when flying (as measured by the proportion of the released beetles that were trapped). Also, a clear preference for linted cotton seeds was evident in walking T. castaneum, especially in small-scale arenas in the laboratory, where at least 60% of beetles released preferred linted cotton seeds over wheat and sorghum. Similarly, in cages (1 m3) they responded five times more strongly to linted cotton seed than to conventional grain resources. However, this pattern was not consistent with those obtained from field trapping over 20 m and the beetles did not show any particular preference to any of the resources tested above. Our results suggest a focus on walking beetles in trapping studies for population estimations and, for developing effective food-based trapping lures, the potential use of active volatiles from the fungi associated with linted cotton seed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Crop and Food Science
Keywords:Cotton lint Fungal volatile Rust-red flour beetle Sorghum Stored grain Wheat Coleoptera Fungi Gossypium hirsutum Tenebrionidae Tribolium castaneum Triticum aestivum
Subjects:Plant pests and diseases
Plant culture > Field crops > Textile and fibre plants
Live Archive:22 Oct 2013 03:14
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:49

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