Olfactory responses of the leafminer Liriomyza sativae (Dipt., Agromyzidae) to the odours of host and non‐host plants

Abstract

Abstract: Electroantennogram (EAG) responses of male and female leafminer Liriomyza sativae Blanchard to 15 species of host and non‐host plant odours were recorded. The most distinct EAG responses of both sexes were obtained in the host plants bean and tomato. EAG responses to other host plants, such as cucumber, celery, chrysanthemum, towel gourd and cotton were reduced. Odours of non‐host plants, such as Chinese rose, tobacco and morning glory elicited minimal EAG responses. In a behavioural study, both sexes of L. sativae were more attracted by the odours of host plants than of non‐host plants. Thus, olfactory cues are important for host plant location by L. sativae. In addition, the combination of strong EAG and behavioural responses for both males and females to specific plant odours suggests that host plant volatiles can be important as aggregation cues for both sexes.