The Effect of Previous Feeding on Water Hyacinth Leaf Acceptability by Three Water Hyacinth Biological Control Agents Measured with a Simple Y-Tube Olfactometer

Abstract

The odours released by a plant under herbivory pressure are intercepted by other herbivorous insects and can elicit behavioural changes. The relevant information relayed to the herbivorous insect may include the nutritional quality of the plant, the presence of potential competitors and natural enemies (Dicke 2000; Dicke & van Loon 2000). It may be expected that with this information, a herbivorous insect may be attracted to or repelled by a particular host plant, depending on the apparent costs and benefits associated with that plant (Dicke & van Loon 2000).