Defensive secretion of first-instar larvae of rootstalk borer weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), to the fire-ant Solenopsis geminata (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

• Published in: Journal of chemical ecology Vol. 18; no. 11
• Main Authors: Pavis, C, Malosse, C, Ducrot, P.H, Howse, F, Jaffe, K, Descoins, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.1992
• Subjects: ALDEHIDOS; ALDEHYDE; COMPOSICION QUIMICA; COMPOSITION CHIMIQUE; CONTROL BIOLOGICO; CONTROL DE INSECTOS; DEPREDADORES; DIAPREPES ABBREVIATUS; INSECTE NUISIBLE; INSECTOS DANINOS; LARVAS; LARVE; LUTTE ANTIINSECTE; LUTTE BIOLOGIQUE; PREDATEUR; SECRECION; SECRETION; SESQUITERPENOIDE; SESQUITERPENOS; SOLENOPSIS GEMINATA
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00981927
• ISSN: 0098-0331

Since several species of predatory ants show some kind of repulsion towards the first-instar larvae (FIL) of Diaprepes abbreviatus L., the predatory behavior of Solenopsis geminata (F.), a common ant in the citrus groves in Guadeloupe, was studied. Different extracts of larvae were disposed on egg masses of D. abbreviatus and presented as prey to the ants, both in the field and in the laboratory. The ants are repelled by the FIL extracts. The allelochemicals involved are produced in large amounts, from 5 to 20 ng per larva. Physiochemical analyses have led to the identification of two sesquiterpenes of molecular weight 218 and 234, secreted in the respective proportions of 65 and 35%