Olfactory attractiveness of mixtures of some host plant and conspecific semiochemicals to the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar, 1824)

English

A simple "Y" shaped olfactometer was used in laboratory studies on the olfactory attractiveness of mixtures in various proportions of industrial analogues of some host plant and conspecific-based semiochemicals, or their combinations With banana rhizome, to the banana weevil. The aim was to identify factors that influence their attractiveness to the weevil, and consider the possibility for their use as lures for trapping the weevil in the field. Cosmopolites sordidus was attracted to the mixtures at specific concentrations and proportions of constituent chemicals. 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one was only attractive on its own at Pl/ 100 ml and in mixture With 4mercaptophenol, but not at 10 ut, 0.01 pi, or in combination With banana rhizoffle. 4-mercaptohpenol and 2-n-butyifuran, which were compatible With most host plant-based chemicals and were attractive as a mixture, were perceived to be key elements in the composition of attractants to the weevii. It was concluded that in addition to the composition, other factors that may determine the attractiveness or otherwise of a mixture to C. soi-didus are the proportions and concentrations of the constituent chemicais.

Braimah, H.; van Emden, H. F.