Flight behaviour of vegetable pests and their natural enemies under different ultraviolet‐blocking enclosures. (5th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dáder, B.; Plaza, M.; Fereres, A.; Moreno, A.
• Is Part Of: Annals of applied biology. Volume 167:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 116
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2015-04-05
• Subjects: Crop science -- Periodicals; Plants, Protection of -- Periodicals; Crops -- Ecology -- Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.1111/aab.12213
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4746

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aab12213-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p id="aab12213-para-0001">Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly in the UV‐A + B range (280–400 nm) is a fraction of the solar spectrum that regulates almost every aspect of insect behaviour, including orientation towards hosts, alighting, arrestment and feeding behaviour. To study the role of UV radiation on the flight activity of five insect species of agricultural importance (pests <italic>Myzus persicae</italic>, <italic>Bemisia tabaci</italic> and <italic>Tuta absoluta</italic>, and natural enemies <italic>Aphidius colemani</italic> and <italic>Sphaerophoria rueppellii</italic>), one‐chamber tunnels were covered with six cladding materials with different light transmittance properties ranging from 2% to 83% UV and 54% to 85% photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Inside each tunnel, insects were released from tubes placed in a platform suspended from the ceiling. Specific targets varying with insect species were placed at different distances from the platform. Evaluation parameters were designed for each insect and tested separately. The ability of insects to leave the platform was assessed, as well as the number of captures, eggs or mummies in each target, either sticky traps or plants. Our results suggest differences in flight activity among insect species and UV‐blocking nets. The UV‐opaque film drastically prevented aphids, and whiteflies from flying outside the tubes whereas <italic>T. absoluta</italic>, syrphids and parasitoids were not affected. Aphid flight behaviour was affected by the UV‐opaque film compared to the other nets, especially in the furthest target of the tunnel. Fewer aphids reached distant traps under UV‐absorbing nets, and significantly more aphids could fly to the end of tunnels covered with non‐UV‐blocking materials. Orientation of <italic>B. tabaci</italic> and <italic>T. absoluta</italic> was also negatively affected by the UV‐opaque film although in a different trend. Unlike aphids, differences in <italic>B. tabaci</italic> captures were mainly found in the closest targets. UV transmittance did not have any effects on parasitoids, and <italic>S. rueppellii</italic>, implying cues other than visual for these insects under our experimental conditions. Further effects of photoselective enclosures on greenhouse pests and their natural enemies are discussed.</p> </abstract>