Host plant learning and selection for egg laying Diamondback moth

1 host plant learning , selection egg laying

1.1 host plants
1.2 odor
1.3 taste , touch

host plant learning , selection egg laying
host plants

host plant selection crucial because diamondbacks spend majority of life near host plant. diamondback moth lays eggs on plants in family brassicaceae. cruciferous vegetable crops attacked, favored on others.

these include

several wild species in family act hosts, in season when cultivated crops unavailable. egg-laying females have been reported recognize chemicals in host plants, glucosinolates , isothiocyanates, characteristic of brassicaceae family (but occur in related families). these chemicals found stimulate oviposition, when applied piece of paper. 1 plant species contains egg-laying cues wintercress, barbarea vulgaris. indeed, diamondback moth females lay eggs on plant species, newly hatched larvae die due effects of additional natural plant chemicals called saponins.

odor

different behaviors occur before female diamondback moth deposits eggs. while virgin , mated females both have same sensitivity host plant s odor, pregnant diamondback females more drawn , sensitive because in search of place lay eggs.

diamondbacks nocturnal , use olfactory system discover host plant odor. additionally, in order search host odor, rotate antennas. when host odor not present or in low concentrations moth spends more time rotating antennas. moth has increased antennal rotation activity when near uninfested host when compared infested host indicates damaged host leaves emit stronger odor.

taste , touch

antennation occurs when moth hits antennae on leaf. behavior used taste host site. after antennation moth sweep ovipositor across site of deposition in order gather more information host. because female moths lay eggs 1 @ time , prefer crevices, search grooves on leaves. crevices may offer protection , easy access food sources. however, grooves on leaves not determine when oviposition occurs, may play higher role in egg placement.