Abstract
BACKGROUNDThe banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus, has been frequently cited as the most challenging constraint to banana and plantain production, particularly in small‐scale (smallholder) farming. For the development of a new, low‐cost weevil management technology based on attractive host plant material, we previously identified (2R,5S)‐theaspirane as the active component of attractive senesced banana leaves. In this new study, we used behavioural (olfactometer) bioassays with adult weevils to compare the attractiveness of four different developmental stages of banana leaves, i.e. unfolding (pale green), matured green (deep green), matured yellowing and senesced, to determine which leaf developmental stage would be most appropriate for use in weevil management. We also investigated the attractiveness of senesced leaf extracts prepared using different solvents to determine which solvent would be most appropriate for local production of leaf extracts. Coupled gas chromatography–electroantennography (GC–EAG) was then used with adult weevils to confirm the presence of (2R,5S)‐theaspirane in attractive leaf extracts.RESULTSOf the leaf materials tested, only the odour of senesced leaf material was significantly attractive to adult weevils (P < 0.005). Furthermore, an extract of senesced material prepared using palm wine alcohol was significantly attractive (P < 0.05). Using coupled GC–EAG with weevil antennae, (2R,5S)‐theaspirane was identified as a minor component with strong EAG activity within the palm wine alcohol extract.CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that palm wine alcohol extracts of senesced banana leaf material could be used to lure adult C. sordidus to traps in the field, as part of an ethnobotanical‐based approach for C. sordidus management on smallholder farms. © 2018 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Highlights
IntroductionMusa spp., are the fourth most important crop in humid tropics, with worldwide banana production estimated at more than 100 Mt in 20151
Bananas and plantains, Musa spp., are the fourth most important crop in humid tropics, with worldwide banana production estimated at more than 100 Mt in 20151
We investigated the responses of adult C. sordidus to odours of senesced banana leaf material in comparison with three other different developmental stages of host banana leaf material, ie. unfolding banana leaf, matured green banana leaf and matured yellowing banana leaf, to identify which stage produces odours that are most attractive to C. sordidus
Summary
Musa spp., are the fourth most important crop in humid tropics, with worldwide banana production estimated at more than 100 Mt in 20151. The banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus Germar (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is reported to be the most challenging constraint to banana and plantain production, in small-scale (smallholder) farming. The banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus, has been frequently cited as the most challenging constraint to banana and plantain production, in small-scale (smallholder) farming. For the development of a new, low-cost weevil management technology based on attractive host plant material, we previously identified (2R,5S)-theaspirane as the active component of attractive senesced banana leaves. In this new study, we used behavioural (olfactometer) bioassays with adult weevils to compare the attractiveness of four different developmental stages of banana leaves, ie. Coupled gas chromatographyelectroantennography (GC-EAG) was used with adult weevils to confirm the presence of (2R,5S)-theaspirane in attractive leaf extracts
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