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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #327790
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Picture-winged fly (Euxesta, Chaetopsis spp.; Diptera: Ulidiidae) semiochemical investigations

Author
item OWENS, DAVID - University Of Florida
item NUESSLEY, GREGG - University Of Florida
item Kendra, Paul
item COLQUHOUN, THOMAS - University Of Florida
item Montgomery, Wayne
item HAHN, DANIEL - University Of Florida
item SEAL, DAKSHINA - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2016
Publication Date: 9/25/2016
Citation: Owens, D., Nuessley, G., Kendra, P.E., Colquhoun, T., Montgomery, W.S., Hahn, D., Seal, D. 2016. Picture-winged fly (Euxesta, Chaetopsis spp.; Diptera: Ulidiidae) semiochemical investigations. Meeting Abstract. XXV International Congress of Entomology, Orlando Fl Sept 25-30, 2016.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Picture-winged flies (Euxesta, Chaetopsis spp., Diptera: Ulidiidae) are severe primary pests of sweet corn in southern Florida. Females oviposit in silks and larvae consume the silks and kernels, rendering the ear unmarketable. Growers treat their fields with numerous broad spectrum insecticide applications to prevent intolerable silk fly damage. Species differ in their response to insecticides which are critical for management. Correct identification in the field is difficult due to the insects' active behavior. Identificaiton of attractive semiochemicals may facilitate development of improved monitoring and management strategies for these pests. Oviposition and attraction bioassays in the lab identified frass from fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda) fed on corn silk and corn tassel as the most attractive volatile source for these flies. An electroantennography (EAG) method was devised to identify raw materials that elicit strong olfactory responses from which volatiles could be collected and identified. EAG further demonstrated that silk-frass volatiles resulted in the greatest antennal response for all three species tested. Frass volatiles were tentatively identified using GC-MS and twenty four were tested for electrophysiological activity. Fly response to the volatiles differed among the species. Evaluation of these chemicals for attractiveness is ongoing.