Abstract
FemaleBracon mellitor Say responded to the frass of dietreared boll weevil larvae by probing with the ovipositor. Similar responses were elicited by the hexane and chloroform-methanol fractions after differential extraction of boll weevil feces. The active component of the chloroform-methanol fraction was identified as methylp-hydroxybenzoate (methyl parasept). Because the methyl parasept is an artificial component of the diet, the results suggest that the parasitoid response may be associatively learned. The response to methyl parasept decreased with time in the absence of reinforcement. Results demonstrate that certain chemicals may release behavior normally evoked by kairomones, and may interfere with the isolation of natural kairomones.
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This paper was approved for publication as TA 12350 by the Director, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. This study was conducted in cooperation with the USDA. It was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation and the International Biological Program (NSF-SC-0030) of the University of California. The findings are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the University of California or the National Science Foundation. Mention of a proprietary or commercial product in this paper does not constitute an endorsement of this product by the USDA.
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Vinson, S.B., Henson, R.D. & Barfield, C.S. Ovipositional behavior ofbracon mellitor say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of boll weevil (anthonomus grandis Boh.). J Chem Ecol 2, 431–440 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988808
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988808