Evaluation of behavioral response of Blitopertha lineolata (Fischer von Waldheim, 1824) (Coleoptera: Rutelidae) to visual and chemical cues

Abstract

During field trapping of Tropinota hirta (Cetoniidae) by blue traps baited with the respective floral lure regular catches Blitopertha lineolata were recorded in an experimental field in Sofia plain, Bulgaria. In order to investigate the relative importance of chemical and visual cues on the attraction response of this species, several field tests were performed using CSALOMON® VARb3k funnel traps in Sofia during 2007-2009. In 2007, we evaluated the behavioral response of the adults to four variants of traps - transparent and blue unbaited traps, and transparent and blue traps baited with the lure for T. hirta. The most numerous catches of B. lineolata were recorded in blue traps independently of the presence or absence of the floral bait. In a subsequent test we compared the attractiveness of baited traps developed for cetoiid beetle species: T. hirta, Oxythyrea funesta, Cetonia aurata and Protaetia cuprea (Cetoniidae). The most numerous catches were recorded in traps for C. aurata/P. cuprea but there was no significant difference between mean catches in these traps and traps for T. hirta. The color preference of B. lineolata was evaluated comparing the colors, white, blue, yellow, fluorescent yellow or transparent of VARb3 traps without chemical lures. Results of these tests revealed that highest mean numbers of adults were recorded in the blue traps followed by the fluorescent yellow traps in 2008, and white and yellow traps in 2009. During this study, the seasonal flight of B. lineolata in the Sofia region started at the second half of May and lasted till the beginning of July in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Blue CSALOMON® VARb3k funnel traps can be considered as an efficient tool for detection and monitoring the seasonal flight of this species. Further research is needed to find a semiochemical attractant to B. lineolata. New distributional data for this species in Bulgaria are provided as well.