Semiochemical modulation of oviposition behaviour in the gregarious desert locust Schistocerca gregaria

Abstract

Bioassays have shown that sand freshly contaminated by ovipositing females of the gregarious desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) is more effective in inducing further oviposition from conspecifics than contaminated sand stored for three or six months, which contrasts with results obtained previously with Locusta migratoria (Reiche & Farmaire). The activity of contaminated sand correlated with the levels of three unsaturated aliphatic ketones, (Z)-6-octen-2-one, (E,E)-3,5-octadien-2-one and its geometric isomer (E,Z)-3,5-octadien-2-one present in the volatile emissions from the sand.