Evidence for mediation of two releaser pheromones in the aggregation behavior of the gregarious desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria (forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
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Date
1993-03-17
Authors
Hassanali, Ahmed
Baldwyn, Torto
Obeng-Ofori, D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springerlink
Abstract
The response of nymphal and adult gregarious phase desert locust,
Schistocerca gregaria, to a choice of two columns of air, one permeated with
airborne volatiles emanating from nymphs or adults and the other untreated,
was investigated in a single-chamber bioassay arena. The nymphs, whether
released individually or in groups, preferred to be within the precinct of the
air column treated with airborne volatiles of the nymphs but were indifferent
to volatiles of the adults. Conversely, older adults responded only to their
own volatiles but not to those of the nymphs or young adults. The young
adults were responsive only to volatiles of the older adults. Charcoal-trapped
volatiles from the nymphs and the adults reproduced the effect of living locusts.
These results indicate that there are two different aggregation pheromones in
S. gregaria: a juvenile pheromone produced by nymphs and an adult pheromone
specific to adults.
Description
DOI:10.1007/BF00982299
Keywords
Airborne volatiles, bioassay, aggregation pheromones, gregarious locusts, olfactometer, semiochemicals, Orthoptera, Acrididae, Schistocerca gregaria
Citation
Journal of Chemical Ecology Volume 19, Number 8 (1993), 1665-1676