Response of Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) to volatile compounds of potato, Solanum tuberosum

Abstract

Traps baited with plant volatiles as an attraction source might be an important tool for the monitoring or control of insect pests. The Guatemalan potato moth, Tecia solanivora, is a limiting pest of potato crops, and its relation with the host plant, potato, is still unknown. The effect that odours of different plant structures produce on the insect´s behaviour was studied. The compounds methyl phenyl acetate and sulcatone were also studied, two previously identified plant volatile compounds that are released from flowers and tubers and also produce T. solanivora antennal responses. Assays were conducted with an olfactometer and in a mesh-covered cage using capture traps. In the olfactometer the plant structure that most attracted females was the flower. In the mesh cage, a higher female capture was obtained in traps with the compound methyl phenyl acetate at 100µg, and no synergistic effect was observed by combining both compounds. Results suggest the evaluation of additional synthetic compounds from the potato plant and their blends to get a better understanding of behaviour in this insect.