Sl. Butkewich et Rj. Prokopy, ATTRACTION OF ADULT PLUM CURCULIOS (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE) TO HOST-TREE ODOR AND VISUAL-STIMULI IN THE FIELD, Journal of entomological science, 32(1), 1997, pp. 1-6
Field tests were conducted to determine if plum curculios, Conotrachel
us nenuphar (Herbst), responded to host odor and/or visual cues to loc
ate host trees. Experiment 1 investigated the role of odor in host loc
ation. Host branchlets (apple leaves and fruit) were compared with non
-host branchlets (maple leaves). Significantly more released color-mar
ked plum curculios arrived on screen cages containing apple branchlets
than on screen cages containing maple branchlets. Experiment 2 invest
igated the role of visual cues, with or without host odor, in host tre
e location. Plum curculios arrived preferentially on 60 cm wide X 130
cm tall sticky green rectangles (intended to mimic the canopy of a sma
ll tree) with associated caged apple branchlets than on sticky clear P
lexiglas rectangles with caged apple branchlets or on sticky green or
clear Plexiglas rectangles with caged maple branchlets. These data sug
gest that plum curculio adults may use both odor and visual cues to lo
cate host trees during spring migration from overwintering sites.