Kaolin Affects Blueberry Maggot Behavior on Fruit

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of Surround (kaolin) on several behavioral parameters of female blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae). First fruit visited, walking, cleaning, and oviposition behavior were quantified in two-choice and no-choice assays where females encountered Surround-treated and untreated fruit of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). In two-choice assays, females had a propensity (68%) to first visit untreated blueberries. In two-choice and no-choice tests, number of walking bouts and duration of walking bouts were significantly shorter on the Surround-treated than on untreated fruit. Few oviposition attempts on fruit were observed, irrespective of treatments and assays. Chromameter measurements showed significant modification of the blueberry skin color parameters lightness, hue, and saturation between untreated fruit compared with fruit dipped once or twice in a suspension of Surround. Oviposition trials with field-treated fruit showed that blueberries treated with Surround had fewer oviposition scars than the control, and this was more pronounced with weekly applications of Surround. Uneven coating of the fruit by Surround in field applications may have resulted in higher acceptance rates by flies than in blueberries individually dipped and used in laboratory trials.

Particle films and their applications in horticultural crops

“…Particle films also suppresses insect pests by repellency, impeding egg laying, reducing feeding, impeding grasping, restricting their movement, behavior alteration, paralysis induction and by causing mortality Puterka et al, 2000b). The mechanisms underlying how particle films affect the biology and behavior of insect pests have been extensively explored by several authors (Cadogan and Scharbach, 2005;Puterka et al, 2005;Lemoyne et al, 2008), describing a variety of effects i.e., direct toxicity and interference with insects ability to settle, move or oviposit (Hall et al, 2007). Porcel et al (2011) studied the biological and behavioral effects of a kaolin particle film on larvae and adults of Chrysoperla carnea Stephens and found that a higher number of C. carnea adults were found associated with kaolin treated olive trees which indicate that, disruption of movement capacity and dislodgment from the plant surface may be the main negative actions of particle films on C. carnea larvae while adults showed a positive trend in oviposition and abundance towards kaolin treated surfaces.…”

Behavioural responses by Rhagoletis indifferens (Dipt., Tephritidae) to sweet cherry treated with kaolin‐ and limestone‐based products

“…2003; Mazor and Erez 2003; Saour and Makee 2004; Braham et al. 2007; Caleca and Rizzo 2007; Villanueva and Walgenbach 2007; Lemoyne et al. 2008; Yee 2008).…”

“…2005). The adherence of kaolin to the insect could cause excessive grooming, interfere with grasping of plant surfaces, and reduce oviposition by preventing recognition of host surface chemicals (Lemoyne et al. 2008).…”

“…It is hypothesized that kaolin in the product Surround deters insects from settling on plants by creating an inhospitable environment and by attaching to their body parts (Puterka et al 2005). The adherence of kaolin to the insect could cause excessive grooming, interfere with grasping of plant surfaces, and reduce oviposition by preventing recognition of host surface chemicals (Lemoyne et al 2008). The whitish colour of treated plants may also interfere with insect orientation (Glenn et al 1999).…”

Películas de partículas minerais sobre a oviposição da mosca-do-mediterrâneo em laboratório

“…Com este mesmo propósito, alguns trabalhos também relataram o uso de calcário líquido (carbonato de cálcio, Eclipse e Purshade) (Yee 2010;PraGer et al 2013). Esses produtos apresentaram bons resultados no controle da infestação de diversas espécies de tefritídeos, conhecidas como moscas-das-frutas (Mazor & erez 2004;Saour & Makee 2004;BrahaM et al 2007;leMoYne et al 2008;lo Verde et al 2011). De acordo com esses autores, a película branca formada por esses minerais sobre as superfícies das folhas, caules e frutos pode mascarar a cor das mesmas, dificultando, a longa distância, o reconhecimento do hospedeiro e também tornando a superfície do fruto áspera e menos adequada para oviposição, causando repelência.…”