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Response of white-fringed weevil (Naupactus leucoloma) larvae to host plant roots and tubers

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-24, 11:15 authored by Walker, PW, Geoff AllenGeoff Allen
Response of white-fringed weevil (Naupactus leucoloma) larvae to host plant roots and tubers White-fringed weevils (WFW) are a major pest of several crops in Australia. Larvae cause severe damage to the roots of pasture and forage plants, particularly lucerne, sometimes reducing the life of crops to only a few years. In several States, particularly Tasmania, they have become a primary pest of potatoes. Recent research has shown that many soil dwelling organisms (insects, nematodes and earthworms) do not find their hosts in the soil through random searching. Rather, they detect and orient towards specific compounds released by their hosts. This poster presents the preliminary results from on-going bioassays to establish the mechanisms used by WFW larvae to find host plant roots or tubers (potatoes, carrots and lucerne). Two types of 2-choice bioassay chambers were used to test the response of larvae to roots and tubers. To date, no significant orientation by 1st instar larvae (non-feeding stage) to host plants has been detected but further bioassays using older, feeding instars are in progress.

Funding

Horticulture Innovation Australia

History

Publication title

43rd AGM & Scientific Conference and Australasian Arachnological Society 2012

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Place of publication

Hobart, Tasmania

Event title

43rd AGM & Scientific Conference and Australasian Arachnological Society 2012

Event Venue

Hobart, Tasmania

Date of Event (Start Date)

2012-11-25

Date of Event (End Date)

2012-11-28

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Other plant production and plant primary products not elsewhere classified

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    University Of Tasmania

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