The influence of volatiles from plants infected by powdery mildew on foraging behavior of the twenty spotted ladybird, Psyllobora vigintimaculata

Mycophagous ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) including the twenty spotted ladybird, Psyllobora vigintimaculata, feed on powdery mildew (Erysiphales), and are a potential agent for eco-friendly management of this important plant disease. Although little is known about foraging behavior of mycophagous ladybirds, entomophagous species often use volatile cues for foraging, such as aphid alarm pheromone, honeydew, or infochemicals released by aphid-attacked plants. It is conceivable that mycophagous species also use volatile chemicals from plants infected by powdery mildew to explore feeding habitats. Elucidating such the chemicals and their role in tritrophic interaction among plants, powdery mildew, and beetles may lead to new strategies for integrated disease management. In the present study, we analyzed volatiles emitted by plants with powdery mildew and investigated behavioral response of P. vigintimaculata to the volatile cues.