Behavioral Response of the Hibiscus Bud Weevil, Anthonomus Testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) To Hibiscus Buds and Anthonomus Spp. Male Pheromone Lures

Authors: GREENE, DANIEL - University Of Florida; VELAZQUEZ HERNANDEZ, YISELL - University Of Florida; Tabanca, Nurhayat; Cloonan, Kevin; Kendra, Paul; REVYNTHI, ALEXANDRA - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2022
Publication Date: 6/20/2022
Citation: Greene, A. D., Y. Velazquez Hernandez, N. Tabanca, K. Cloonan, P. E. Kendra, and A. M. Revynthi. 2022. Behavioral response of the hibiscus bud weevil, Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to hibiscus buds and Anthonomus spp. male pheromone lures. 103rd Annual Meeting of the Florida Entomological Society. Gainesville, FL. 20-22 Jun 2022.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In 2017, the hibiscus bud weevil (HBW), Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coeloptera: Curculionidae) was intercepted in Florida infesting China rose hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Hibiscus buds fed upon and oviposited within by HBW may be aborted from plants, thus decreasing the marketability of the crop. To mitigate HBW-induced financial loss to the south Florida hibiscus industry, the development of monitoring strategies used to guide management tactics as part of an integrated pest management program for this invasive pest must be prioritized. Therefore, we sought to identify an appropriate bioassay method to study the chemical and behavioral ecology of the HBW. In doing so, we used five olfactometer types (glass y-tube, four-arm, arena, linear track, and acrylic cage) to assess the response of HBW to hibiscus buds and congeneric pheromone lures (A. eugenii Cano, A. grandis Boheman, A. musculus Say). In all bioassay types except the acrylic cage, restrictions in HBW movement and behavior prevented adequate response to hibiscus buds. In acrylic cage olfactometers, HBW groups containing only females, only males, and half female/half male chose hibiscus buds over empty petri dishes (control). While more HBW responded to congeneric A. musculus male pheromone lures than to A. eugenii or A. grandis male pheromone lures, HBW was not significantly attracted to any congeneric male pheromone lure in acrylic cage experiments. Subsequent experiments will be conducted to identify an appropriate trapping system for this pest, and to further address the behavioral responses of HBW to hibiscus volatiles and congeneric male pheromone lures.