Abstract
GravidPieris rapae butterflies oviposit on many, but not all, crucifers. Rejection ofErysimum cheiranthoides andCapsella bursa-pastoris was initially explained by the presence of chemical deterrents in the plants. Analyses and bioassays of plant extracts indicated the absence of oviposition stimulants inC. bursa-pastoris, but similar chemical separation ofE. cheiranthoides extracts revealed the presence of stimulants as well as deterrents. Choice tests illustrate how acceptance or rejection of a plant by an insect may depend on the balance of positive and negative chemical stimuli within the plant.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Dethier, V.G. 1947. Chemical Insect Attractants and Repellents. Blakiston, Philadelphia. 289 pp.
Dethier, V.G. 1982. Mechanisms of host-plant recognition.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 31:49–56.
Feeny, P. 1977. Defensive ecology of the Cruciferae.Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 64:221–234.
Jermy, T. 1965. The role of rejective stimuli in the host selection of phytophagous insects. p. 547,in P. Freeman (ed.). Proceedings XII International Congress Entomology, London. Royal Entomological Society of London, London.
Ma, W.C., andSchoonhoven, L.M. 1973. Tarsal contact chemosensory hairs of the large white butterfly,Pieris brassicae and their possible role in oviposition behaviour.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 16:343–357.
Miller, J.R., andStrickler, K.L. 1984. Finding and Accepting Host Plants. pp. 127–155,in W. Bell and R. Cardé (eds.). Chemical Ecology of Insects. Chapman and Hall, London.
Renwick, J.A.A., andRadke, C.D. 1983. Chemical recognition of host plants for oviposition by the cabbage butterfly,Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae).Environ. Entomol. 12:446–450.
Renwick, J.A.A., andRadke, C.D. 1985. Constituents of host and nonhost plants deterring oviposition by the cabbage butterfly,Pieris rapae.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 39:21–26.
Schoonhoven, L.M. 1968. Chemosensory bases of host plant selection.Annu. Rev. Entomol. 13:115–136.
Städler, E. 1976. Sensory aspects of insect plant interactions, pp. 228–248,in J.S. Packer and D. White (eds.). Proceedings XV International Congress on Entomology, Washington, D.C Entomological Society of America, College Park, Maryland.
Thorsteinson, A.J. 1960. Host selection in phytophagous insects.Annu. Rev. Entomol. 5:193–218.
Traynier, R.M.M. 1979. Long-term changes in the oviposition behaviour of the cabbage butterfly,Pieris rapae, induced by contact with plants.Physiol. Entomol. 4:87–96.
Verschaffelt, E. 1911. The cause determining the selection of food in some herbivorous insects.Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. 13:536–542.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Renwick, J.A.A., Radke, C.D. Chemical stimulants and deterrents regulating acceptance or rejection of crucifers by cabbage butterflies. J Chem Ecol 13, 1771–1776 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00980217
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00980217