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Title: Chemical ecology of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and emerging control methods using semiochemicals

Author
item SABLON, LUDOVIC - University Of Liege
item Dickens, Joseph
item HAUBRUGE, ERIC - University Of Liege
item VERHEGGEN, FRANCOIS - University Of Liege

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2013
Publication Date: 12/20/2012
Citation: Sablon, L., Dickens, J.C., Haubruge, E., Verheggen, F. 2012. Chemical ecology of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and emerging control methods using semiochemicals. Insects. 4(1):31-54.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) has been a major insect pest of potatoes for over 150 years and various control methods have been established to reduce its impact on potato fields. Pesticide use is currently the most widely used approach, although alternative methods are being developed. Amongst these emerging management methods are those based on chemical signals. Chemical ecologists have discovered semiochemicals released by the beetles and their host plants for intra- and interspecific communication, orientation and acceptance of suitable hosts. Here we review the recent discoveries in the field of the chemical ecology of CPB with special emphasis on potential methods that might be integrated in pest management programs.