Effects of non-host plant volatiles on longevity and fecundity of Assara inouei Yamanaka

ObjectiveEffects of non-host plant volatiles on the longevity and fecundity of Assara inouei Yamanaka adults were studied to provide scientific basis for comprehensive control of the pest.MethodThe effects of six non-host aromatic plant volatiles,such as Illicium verum,Zanthoxylum bungeanum,Capsicum frutescens,Zingiber officinale, Mentha haplocalyx and Amomum tsaoko,on longevity of adult,pre-oviposition period,oviposition period,number of eggs laid per female and egg hatching rate of A.inouei were observed respectively using bioassay methods under the labo-ratory conditions.ResultVolatiles of six non-host plants had significant inhibitory effects on longevity and fecundity of A.inouei(P<0.05,the same below).The volatiles of C.frutescens showed the maximum impact on the adult at pre-ovipo-sition period,pre-oviposition period was 2.03 d longer than that of the control(1.03 d).The volatiles of I.verum showed the maximum impact on oviposition period,and the oviposition period was shortened by 6.62 d compared with the control (9.20 d).I.verum volatiles had the largest effects on longevity of male and female adults.The longevity of female and male adults under such treatment was only 4.79 and 6.02 d respectively,which was shortened by 11.64 and 8.79 d respec-tively compared with the control.There was no peak oviposition period for female adults in I.verum volatiles treatment.In other treatments,the peak period only lasted 1 d.Average number of eggs laid per female per day in each treatment were significantly decreased compared with the control.Average number of eggs laid per female and egg hatching rate of off-spring were the lowest in I.verum volatiles treatment,the oviposition inhibition rate was 86.21%,and the egg hatching rate of the offspring decreased by 83.19% compared with the control.ConclusionThe volatiles of I.verum show strong inhibitory effects on longevity and fecundity of A.inouei adults,and it can be used for ecological control of the pest and development of plant-derived pesticides.