Behavioral and olfactory responses of rice green leaf hopper, Nephottetix virescens (Distant) to volatile cues from tagbak (Alpinia elegans (C. Presl) K. Schum)

Issue Date

12-2013

Abstract

The behavioral and olfactory responses of male and female rice green leafhopper, Nephotettix virescens (Distant), an important vector of tungro, was studied with a view to elucidate the mechanism for reduced green leaf hopper population in rice fields with tagbak (Alpinia elegans (C.Presl.) K. Schum) as practiced by farmers in Infanta, Quezon, Philippines. The effects of volatile organic chemicals released from leaf discs of tagbak were investigated using the Petri plate bioassay; and chemicals from tagbak headspace and essential oil were tested individually in Y-tube olfactometric bioassays. Our results demonstrated that N. virescens, regardless of sex, were apparently repelled by the odors released from the leaf discs of tagbak. The chemicals that repelled GLH were a-pinene, α-terpinene, ß-phellandrene, linalool, ß-pinene, p-cymene, camphene, 1,8 cineole, and citronellol. The mechanism of action of tagbak as an insect repellent was elucidated. The use of tagbak for insect pest management in rice production can be promoted in areas where this plant abounds to reduce dependence on synthetic insecticides. It can be a useful pest management strategy in organic and low-input rice production.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Science

ISSN

0031-7683

Volume

142

Issue

2

Page

167-173

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

graphs

Language

English

Subject

GC-MS, Insect, Repellent, Volatiles, Y-tube olfactometer

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS