(Press-News.org) Contact information: Dr. Gadi V.P. Reddy
gadi.reddy@montana.edu
406-278-7707
Entomological Society of America
Are sweetpotato weevils differentially attracted to certain colors?
Different colors attract sweetpotato weevils, depending on external conditions
The sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius), is the most serious pest of sweetpotato around the world, damaging sweetpotatoes in the field and in storage. Because the larval period is spent within vines or tubers, and the adults are nocturnal, chemical control frequently is not effective.
Mass trapping using synthetic pheromones has suppressed populations of sweetpotato weevil males in several countries, but it has not reduced the damage greatly. However, a new study published in Annals of the Entomological Society of America suggests that the color of the traps may affect their usefulness.
For years Dr. Gadi V.P. Reddy (Montana State University) has been searching for the right formula to control this insect without the use of toxic pesticides. In his most recent study with Nirupa Gadi (University of Guam), the researchers found that green traps were most effective in attracting the weevils in indoor conditions, while red traps were most effective in outdoor field conditions.
"Sweetpotato weevils responded to pheromone baited traps of different colors differently in the field and indoors," said Dr. Reddy. "In the field, sweetpotato weevils preferred red, and particularly light red, over the other colors, but indoors, green traps were favored. We have no explanation for the difference. Further studies focusing on why insect behavior changes from outdoors to indoors will be required to find out."
INFORMATION:
The full study (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN13135), "Are Sweetpotato Weevils (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Differentially Attracted to Certain Colors?" is published in the January 2014 edition of Annals of the Entomological Society of America.
Annals of the Entomological Society of America is published by the Entomological Society of America, the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 6,500 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Members are researchers, teachers, extension service personnel, administrators, marketing representatives, research technicians, consultants, students, and hobbyists. For more information, visit http://www.entsoc.org.
Are sweetpotato weevils differentially attracted to certain colors?
Different colors attract sweetpotato weevils, depending on external conditions
2014-01-03
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Methane hydrates and global warming
2014-01-03
Methane hydrates and global warming
Dissolution of hydrates off Svalbard caused by natural processes
Methane hydrates are fragile. At the sea floor the ice-like solid fuel composed of water and methane is only stable at high pressure ...
Pine Island Glacier sensitive to climatic variability
2014-01-03
Pine Island Glacier sensitive to climatic variability
A new study published in Science this month suggests the thinning of Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica is much more susceptible to climatic and ocean variability than at first thought. Observations by a ...
Molecule discovered that protects the brain from cannabis intoxication
2014-01-03
Molecule discovered that protects the brain from cannabis intoxication
Two INSERM research teams led by Pier Vincenzo Piazza and Giovanni Marsicano (INSERM Unit 862 "Neurocentre Magendie" in Bordeaux) ...
Animal cells can communicate by reaching out and touching, UCSF team discovers
2014-01-03
Animal cells can communicate by reaching out and touching, UCSF team discovers
Signaling through direct contact not restricted to neurons, as previously thought
In a finding that directly contradicts the standard biological model of animal cell ...
Study explaining parasite gene expression could help fight toxoplasmosis and malaria
2014-01-03
Study explaining parasite gene expression could help fight toxoplasmosis and malaria
INDIANAPOLIS -- A newly identified protein and other proteins it interacts with could become effective targets for new drugs to control the parasite that cause toxoplasmosis, researchers ...
Men's and women's soccer: Physical or technical?
2014-01-03
Men's and women's soccer: Physical or technical?
A comparative study into the performance of men and women players in UEFA Champions League matches suggests that women and men each play soccer 'in their own way'
This news release is available in Spanish. When the ...
Genetically identical bacteria can behave in radically different ways
2014-01-03
Genetically identical bacteria can behave in radically different ways
Uneven distribution of certain mechanisms during cell division creates diversity that can enhance a bacterial population's survival
Although a population of bacteria may be genetically identical, individual ...
Patch outperforms Holter for prolonged heart rhythm tracking
2014-01-03
Patch outperforms Holter for prolonged heart rhythm tracking
Scripps study suggests shift in decades-old practice for detecting irregular heart beats
SAN DIEGO – Research by the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) has found that a small adhesive wireless ...
Researchers report technique that enables patient with 'word blindness' to read again
2014-01-03
Researchers report technique that enables patient with 'word blindness' to read again
MAYWOOD, Il. - In the journal Neurology, researchers report a novel technique that enables a patient with "word blindness" to read again.
Word blindness is a rare neurological ...
Odor receptors discovered in lungs
2014-01-03
Odor receptors discovered in lungs
They're just like those in your nose but instead of conjuring up a cup of coffee they might make you cough
Your nose is not the only organ in your body that can sense cigarette smoke wafting through the air. Scientists at Washington ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Public take the lead in discovery of new exploding star
What are they vaping? Study reveals alarming surge in adolescent vaping of THC, CBD, and synthetic cannabinoids
ECMWF - delivering forecasts over 10 times faster and cutting energy usage by 1000
Brazilian neuroscientist reveals how viral infections transform the brain through microscopic detective work
Turning social fragmentation into action through discovering relatedness
Cheese may really be giving you nightmares, scientists find
Study reveals most common medical emergencies in schools
Breathable yet protective: Next-gen medical textiles with micro/nano networks
Frequency-engineered MXene supercapacitors enable efficient pulse charging in TENG–SC hybrid systems
Developed an AI-based classification system for facial pigmented lesions
Achieving 20% efficiency in halogen-free organic solar cells via isomeric additive-mediated sequential processing
New book Terraglossia reclaims language, Country and culture
The most effective diabetes drugs don't reach enough patients yet
Breast cancer risk in younger women may be influenced by hormone therapy
Strategies for staying smoke-free after rehab
Commentary questions the potential benefit of levothyroxine treatment of mild hypothyroidism during pregnancy
Study projects over 14 million preventable deaths by 2030 if USAID defunding continues
New study reveals 33% gap in transplant access for UK’s poorest children
Dysregulated epigenetic memory in early embryos offers new clues to the inheritance of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
IVF and IUI pregnancy rates remain stable across Europe, despite an increasing uptake of single embryo transfer
It takes a village: Chimpanzee babies do better when their moms have social connections
From lab to market: how renewable polymers could transform medicine
Striking increase in obesity observed among youth between 2011 and 2023
No evidence that medications trigger microscopic colitis in older adults
NYUAD researchers find link between brain growth and mental health disorders
Aging-related inflammation is not universal across human populations, new study finds
University of Oregon to create national children’s mental health center with $11 million federal grant
Rare achievement: UTA undergrad publishes research
Fact or fiction? The ADHD info dilemma
Genetic ancestry linked to risk of severe dengue
[Press-News.org] Are sweetpotato weevils differentially attracted to certain colors?Different colors attract sweetpotato weevils, depending on external conditions