OLFACTORY RECEPTION OF POTENTIAL PHEROMONES AND PLANT ODORS BY TARNISHED PLANT BUG, LYGUS-LINEOLARIS (HEMIPTERA, MIRIDAE)

Olfactory reception of potential pheromones and host-plant odors by ma le and female tarnished plant bugs (TPBs), Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera : Miridae), was investigated by utilizing electroantennogram (EAG) tec hniques. In general, EAGs were similar between the sexes. Among 31 com pounds of seven chemical groups tested, insect-produced butyrates and host-plant-containing green leaf volatiles (GLVs) were the most active . Hexyl butyrate and (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate elicited greater EAGs in m ales than in females. Females responded with significantly greater EAG s to alcohol and aldehyde GLVs than to their acetate derivatives. Amon g GLVs, sexual dimorphism was also observed in response to (E)-2-hexen ol and (E)-2-hexenal. Females were more sensitive to the monoterpene g eraniol than were males. While nonanal was the most stimulatory compou nd tested, no sexual differences in EAGs to this compound were observe d. These studies reveal olfactory receptors on TPB antennae responsive to insect and host-plant volatiles that are likely to play a role in host finding and sexual attraction.