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Host-Seeking and Acceptance Behaviour of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae in Response to Volatile Compounds Emitted by Amaranth

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  • Mariana Cruz-Díaz

    (Laboratorio de Ecoetología de Insectos, Escuela de Estudios Superiores del Jicarero, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Carretera Galeana-Tequesquitengo s/n, Comunidad El Jicarero, Jojutla 62915, Morelos, Mexico
    Laboratorio de Ecología Química de Insectos, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carretera Yautepec-Jojutla s/n-km 8.5, San Isidro 62739, Morelos, Mexico)

  • Humberto Reyes-Prado

    (Laboratorio de Ecoetología de Insectos, Escuela de Estudios Superiores del Jicarero, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Carretera Galeana-Tequesquitengo s/n, Comunidad El Jicarero, Jojutla 62915, Morelos, Mexico
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Víctor R. Castrejón-Gómez

    (Laboratorio de Ecología Química de Insectos, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carretera Yautepec-Jojutla s/n-km 8.5, San Isidro 62739, Morelos, Mexico
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Paola Rossy García-Sosa

    (Laboratorio de Ecología Química de Insectos, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carretera Yautepec-Jojutla s/n-km 8.5, San Isidro 62739, Morelos, Mexico)

Abstract

In this study, the seeking behaviour and food acceptance of larvae of Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were analysed under laboratory conditions. Larval orientation and feeding preferences were assessed using a selection arena for neonate larvae and a four-way olfactometer for third-instar larvae. Stimulants included amaranth bars with additives (honey and chocolate) and natural amaranth (toasted grain only). The results showed that amaranth volatiles influence the orientation and feeding behaviour of this polyphagous insect. A marked preference for sugar-rich foods was observed, with amaranth with honey and amaranth with chocolate being the food sources most frequently chosen by the neonate larvae. These individuals exhibited a gregarious feeding behaviour and did not engage in cannibalism. The third-instar larvae also showed a preference for sweet food but were more attracted to the amaranth–additive combination. In the four-way olfactometer bioassays, chocolate was the most frequently chosen stimulus, while cellophane did not differ significantly from air. An analysis of volatile compounds by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that amaranth with chocolate releases more volatile compounds (16) compared with honey (12) and natural amaranth (6), suggesting that these volatiles could possibly influence the larvae’s choice of food source.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariana Cruz-Díaz & Humberto Reyes-Prado & Víctor R. Castrejón-Gómez & Paola Rossy García-Sosa, 2025. "Host-Seeking and Acceptance Behaviour of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae in Response to Volatile Compounds Emitted by Amaranth," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:15:p:1637-:d:1712434
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Ciganek & B. Pisarikova & Z. Zraly, 2007. "Determination of volatile organic compounds in the crude and heat treated amaranth samples," Veterinární medicína, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 52(3), pages 111-120.
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