Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Journal of Chemical Ecology

Publication Date

9-1-1981

Abstract

The sorghum shootfly, Atherigona soccata, under low population density conditions lays one egg per sorghum plant. Possible regulatory mechanisms of this oviposition behavior are reported. The presence of an egg thoroughly washed and reattached to a leaf does not deter further oviposition, indicating the absence of visual cues. When washings from eggs were sprayed on sorghum plants, or when plants from which eggs had been removed were presented to a gravid female, significant deterrence was observed. Apparently a deterrent pheromone is associated with the water-soluble glue with which the females attach their eggs to the leaves. Some deterrent effect persists for at least 7 days. © 1981 Plenum Publishing Corporation.

Keywords

Atherigona soccata, Diptera, Muscidae, Oviposition deterrent, pheromone, sorghum shootfly

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