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Field Abundance Patterns and Odor-Mediated Host Choice by Clover Seed Weevils, Apion fulvipes and Apion trifolii (Coleoptera: Apionidae)

Nyabuga, Franklin LU ; Carrasco, David LU ; Ranåker, Lynn LU ; Andersson, Martin N LU ; Birgersson, Göran ; Larsson, Mattias C. LU ; Lundin, Ola ; Rundlöf, Maj LU orcid ; Svensson, Glenn LU and Anderbrant, Olle LU , et al. (2015) In Journal of Economic Entomology 108(2). p.492-503
Abstract
The clover seed weevils Apion fulvipes Geoffroy, 1785 and Apion trifolii L., 1768 (Coleoptera: Apionidae) cause major losses to seed production of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), respectively. Clover is important as animal forage and an alternative to inorganic fertilizers. Because clover is mainly pollinated by bees, the use of insecticides in management of these weevils is discouraged. To gain basic knowledge for development of alternative management strategies, we investigated weevil field abundance over two growing seasons, as well as feeding and olfactory host preferences by A. fulvipes and A. trifolii. Field trap catches in southern Sweden revealed... (More)
The clover seed weevils Apion fulvipes Geoffroy, 1785 and Apion trifolii L., 1768 (Coleoptera: Apionidae) cause major losses to seed production of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), respectively. Clover is important as animal forage and an alternative to inorganic fertilizers. Because clover is mainly pollinated by bees, the use of insecticides in management of these weevils is discouraged. To gain basic knowledge for development of alternative management strategies, we investigated weevil field abundance over two growing seasons, as well as feeding and olfactory host preferences by A. fulvipes and A. trifolii. Field trap catches in southern Sweden revealed that white clover was dominated by A. fulvipes and red clover by A. trifolii. For both weevil species, female catches were positively correlated to the number of clover buds and flowers in the field. In feeding and olfactory bioassays, females of A. fulvipes and A. trifolii showed a preference for T. repens and T. pratense, respectively. However, the feeding preference was lost when the antennae were removed, indicating a significant role of olfaction in host choice. Male weevils of both species did not show clear olfactory or feeding preferences for host plant species. The field study and laboratory bioassays demonstrate that, at least for female weevils, olfaction is important for selection of host plants. We discuss these novel results in the context of managing these important pests of clover by exploiting olfaction and behavioral attraction to host plant volatiles. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Trifolium repens, Trifolium pratense, olfaction, feeding, behavior, manipulation
in
Journal of Economic Entomology
volume
108
issue
2
pages
492 - 503
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • wos:000355283600014
  • pmid:26470160
  • scopus:84952896531
  • pmid:26470160
ISSN
0022-0493
DOI
10.1093/jee/tou099
project
Biological control of insect pests in clover seed crops
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3f490412-3aaf-460c-8e21-504d99869d01 (old id 7411013)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:08:48
date last changed
2022-03-21 08:50:00
@article{3f490412-3aaf-460c-8e21-504d99869d01,
  abstract     = {{The clover seed weevils <i>Apion fulvipes</i> Geoffroy, 1785 and <i>Apion trifolii</i> L., 1768 (Coleoptera: Apionidae) cause major losses to seed production of white clover (<i>Trifolium repens</i> L.) and red clover (<i>Trifolium pratense</i> L.), respectively. Clover is important as animal forage and an alternative to inorganic fertilizers. Because clover is mainly pollinated by bees, the use of insecticides in management of these weevils is discouraged. To gain basic knowledge for development of alternative management strategies, we investigated weevil field abundance over two growing seasons, as well as feeding and olfactory host preferences by <i>A. fulvipes </i>and <i>A. trifolii</i>. Field trap catches in southern Sweden revealed that white clover was dominated by <i>A. fulvipes</i> and red clover by <i>A. trifolii</i>. For both weevil species, female catches were positively correlated to the number of clover buds and flowers in the field. In feeding and olfactory bioassays, females of <i>A. fulvipes</i> and A. trifolii showed a preference for T. repens and T. pratense, respectively. However, the feeding preference was lost when the antennae were removed, indicating a significant role of olfaction in host choice. Male weevils of both species did not show clear olfactory or feeding preferences for host plant species. The field study and laboratory bioassays demonstrate that, at least for female weevils, olfaction is important for selection of host plants. We discuss these novel results in the context of managing these important pests of clover by exploiting olfaction and behavioral attraction to host plant volatiles.}},
  author       = {{Nyabuga, Franklin and Carrasco, David and Ranåker, Lynn and Andersson, Martin N and Birgersson, Göran and Larsson, Mattias C. and Lundin, Ola and Rundlöf, Maj and Svensson, Glenn and Anderbrant, Olle and Lankinen, Åsa}},
  issn         = {{0022-0493}},
  keywords     = {{Trifolium repens; Trifolium pratense; olfaction; feeding; behavior; manipulation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{492--503}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{Journal of Economic Entomology}},
  title        = {{Field Abundance Patterns and Odor-Mediated Host Choice by Clover Seed Weevils, <i>Apion fulvipes</i> and <i>Apion trifolii</i> (Coleoptera: Apionidae)}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jee/tou099}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/jee/tou099}},
  volume       = {{108}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}