What is it about?
Beetles are closely associated with plants, throughout evolution. Pest beetles must fly to find their host plant species. But they usually follow chemical emissions, volatile smells to track their right hosts. Knowing which molecules are the best attractants can help monitor these pests in the crops, for instance, using traps. We have identified a handful of chemical emissions that attract the main weevil damaging Camelia flowers in China.
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Why is it important?
The identified chemical volatiles could be used to design traps that will monitor the pest density in infested crops, helping maximise the effect of minimal insecticide applications.
Perspectives
We hope to expand on the knowledge os chemicals attracting weevils to crops.
Dr Eduardo G P Fox
IBCCF / UFRJ
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Chemical Cues Used by the Weevil Curculio chinensis in Attacking the Host Oil Plant Camellia oleifera, Diversity, November 2022, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/d14110951.
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