BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSE OF DACNE-PICTA (COLEOPTERA, EROTYLIDAE) TO DIFFERENT GROWING STAGES OF THE SHIITAKE MUSHROOM, LENTINULA-EDODES

The behavioral responses of Dacne picta, a major insect pest of the sh iitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes), to the odor of different stages of this mushroom were investigated by linear track olfactometer in the l aboratory. The mushrooms were classified into three stages, growing, m ature and decaying according to the life cycle of the mushrooms in the field. The assays were conducted on three growing stages and dried an d re-hydrated mushrooms. Both male and female beetles showed chemotact ic responses to the odor of all the growing stages and re-hydrated mus hrooms. The rates of the beetles attracted to the odor varied among mu shrooms belonging to the same stage, but these were not correlated wit h the amount of mushrooms.