Feeding choice behavior and mechanism of adult Meliboeus ohbayashii primoriensis

  Objective  By comparing differences in the selection and consumption of Meliboeus ohbayashii primoriensis to 3 kinds of plants (Juglans regia, Malus pumila and Crataegus pinnatifida), and by analyzing the composition and content of plant volatiles, this research provides a solid basis for a further development of the plant source attractant for M. ohbayashii primoriensis.

  Method  The leaves of three plants (J. regia, M. pumila and C. pinnatifida) were used to determine host plant choice and consumption by this insect pest. Volatile components in the branches and leaves of these three plants were collected using the dynamic headspace method and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, Chi-square test was used to analyze and compare the differences in behavioral responses of M. ohbayashii primoriensis adults in the volatiles emitted by these plants.

  Result  Significant differences were found in the selection and consumption of the three plants by M. ohbayashii primoriensis. Adults displayed high feeding selectivity for J. regia and consumed J. regia leaves. Whereas they showed low feeding selectivity for M. pumila and C. pinnatifida, without consuming their leaves. A total of 45 plant volatile compounds were identified from the branches and leaves of these three plants, including five alkanes, eight esters, three aromatic hydrocarbons, 18 terpenes, two aldehydes, four alcohols and five ketones. In the experiment of behavioral responses, both male and female adults of M. ohbayashii primoriensis were attracted by camphene in obvious tendency responses, while only males were attracted by bornyl acetate, decanal and eucalyptol in a certain attraction.

  Conclusion  J. regia can be used as a host plant to supplement the nutrition of adult M. ohbayashii primoriensis, whereas the leaves of M. pumila and C. pinnatifida are not suitable for consumption. Camphene, bornyl acetate, decanal and eucalyptol had a certain attraction effect on the adults M. ohbayashii primoriensis. These volatile components may play an important role during the identification and selection of host plants by adult M. ohbayashii primoriensis. These volatile components of branches and leaves may play an important role during the identification and selection of host plants by adult M. ohbayashii primoriensis.