Behavioral assays for attractants of Lycoriella mali
Stefanos S. Andreadis, Kevin R. Cloonan, Thomas C. Baker
Chemical Ecology Lab, Department of Entomology, PennState University, 16802 PA
Lycoriella mali Fitch (Diptera: Sciaridae) is acknowledged as the major pest species of commercial mushrooms throughout the world causing severe damage. Larvae of the flies feed on the mycelium and tunnel into the caps and stems of mushrooms. Moreover, adults of L. mali act as a vector for spreading fungus spores of Trichoderma aggressivumGreen Mold disease, which leads to additional crop losses.
Thus, control of L. maliis a necessity worldwide. However, insecticide options are limited as they are subject to label restrictions of the number of applications per season or the total amount of active ingredient applied. Moreover, the efficacy of insecticides is inconsistent, since larvae right after emergency are laid into the caps and stems of mushrooms, where they are well protected. In addition, repeated applications produce undesirable effects, such as insecticides residues and reduced populations of natural enemies. It is therefore essential to develop efficient monitoring methods, including damage thresholds and alternative control strategies.
Previously reports concerning the identification of a sex pheromone useful for trapping L. mali have proven to be questionable. Thus, the purpose of our present study has been the collection of volatiles from unmated females and thereafter the isolation and identification of behaviorally active fractions of these volatiles for evoking upwind flight in males.
