Abstract
Examples of phytochemically-based learning of host preference in herbivorous insects are reviewed in the context of traditionally important issues: the number and kinds of chemicals involved; which sensory modalities are affected; whether peripheral or central nervous processing is altered; and whether learning is associative or not. A fifth issue addressed here— whether experience enhances a feeding or ovipositing insect's propensity to accept familiar chemical stimuli or to reject novel chemical stimuli-has been ignored in previous studies. Following the review, evidence is presented indicating that female apple maggot flies (Ragoletis pomonella) learn to reject both novel physical and novel chemical stimuli.
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Papaj, D.R., Prokopy, R.J. Phytochemical basis of learning inRhagoletis pomonella and other herbivorous insects. J Chem Ecol 12, 1125–1143 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01639000
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01639000