Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Responses of Teretrius nigrescens Toward the Dust and Frass of Its Prey, Prostephanus truncatus

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Teretrius nigrescens is considered to be a specialized predator of Prostephanus truncatus, a serious pest of stored maize and dried cassava roots. Using a bait-bag behavioral bioassay, this investigation found T. nigrescens to be strongly arrested by dust and frass produced by P. truncatus on maize, whereas responses to maize flour were weak. Attempts to increase the arrestiveness of flour by altering its physical properties (coarseness or particle size range) were unsuccessful. The arrestive property of dust/frass did not degrade with long-term storage nor did it volatilize or degrade with oven baking up to 150°C. However, extraction with methanol and reapplication was successful in transferring the arrestive property from the dust/frass onto maize flour. The prey dust/frass also induced more oviposition than did maize flour, as judged by production of F1 offspring. The results provide strong evidence for the existence of a high boiling point compound(s) in P. truncatus dust/frass that acts as a contact kairomone for T. nigrescens. This, or another compound(s) also seems to act as an oviposition stimulant for female T. nigrescens.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • AACC 1990. American Association of Cereal Chemists Approved Methods (8th edn.). AACC, Minnesota, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • AOAC 1984. In S. Williams (ed.), Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (14th edn.). AOAC, Virginia, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, R. F. and Cameron, R. S. 1984. Kairomonal responses of Coleoptera, Monochamus titillator (Cerambycidae), Thanasimus dubius (Cleridae), and Temonochila virescens (Trogositidae), to behavioural chemicals of the southern pine bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Environ. Entomol. 13:1542-1548.

    Google Scholar 

  • BÖye, J., Laborius, G. A., and Schulz, F. A. 1992. The response of Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae) to the pheromone of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) Coleoptera: Bostrichidae. J. Pest. Sci. 65:153-157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter M. C. and Dixon A. F. G. 1984. Honeydew—An arrestant stimulus for coccinellids. Ecol. Entomol. 9:383-387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunstan W. R. and Magazini I. A. 1981. The larger grain borer on stored products. FAO Plant Protect. Bull. 29:80-81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyer E. D. A. 1975. Frontalin attractant in stands infested by the spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Can. Entomol. 107:979-988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell G. 2000. Dispersal, phenology and abundance of the larger grain borer in different environments. J. Afr. Crop Sci. 8:337-343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregoire J. C., Baisier M., Drumont A., Dahlsten D. L., Meyer H., and Francke W. 1991. Volatile compounds in the larval frass of Dendroctonous micans (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Rhizophagus grandis (Coleoptera: Rhizophagidae). J. Chem. Ecol. 17:2003-2019.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregoire J. C., Couillien D., Krebber R., Konig W. A., Meyer H., and Francke W. 1992. Orientation of Rhyzophagus grandus (Coleoptera: Rhizophagidae) to oxygenated monoterpenes in a species specific predator-prey relationship. Chemoecology 3:14-18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harnisch R. and Krall S. 1984. Togo: Further distribution of the larger grain borer in Africa. FAO Plant Protect. Bull. 32:113-114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidari M. and Copland M. J. W. 1993. Honeydew—A food resource or arrestant for the mealybug predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. Entomophaga 38:63-68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helbig J. 1995. The Ecology of Prostephanus truncatus in Togo with Particular Emphasis on Interaction with the Predator Teritrius nigrescens. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zuammenarbeit (GTZ), Eschborn, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helbig J., Laborious G. A., and Schulz F. A. 1992. Investigation on the distance of trapping activity of the synthetic pheromone “trunc-call (1 plus 2)” of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) on its predator Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae). J. Appl. Entomol. 113:425-429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodges R. J., Birkinshaw L. A., and Smith R. H. 1999. Host selection or mate selection? Lessons from Prostephanus truncatus, a pest poorly adapted to stored products, pp. 1788-1794, in Stored Product Protection, Proceedings of the 7th International Working Conference on Stored-Product Protection, October 14–19, 1998, Beijing, China. Sichuan Publishing House of Science & Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodges R. J. and Dobson C. C. 1998. Laboratory studies on behavioural interactions of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) with conspecifics, synthetic pheromone and the predator predator Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae). J. Stored Prod. Res. 34:297-305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmeister T. S., Roitberg B. D., and Lalonde R. G. 2000. Catching Ariadne by her thread: How a parasitoid exploits the herbivore's marking trails to locate its host. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 95:77-85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalivogui K. and MÜck O. 1991. Larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus) in Guinea. FAO Plant Protect. Bull. 39:43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Key G. E., Tigar B. J., Flores-Sanchez E., and Vasquez-Arista M. 1994. Response of P. truncatus and T. nigrescens to pheromone baited flight traps, pp. 410-414, in E. Highley, E. J. Wright, H. J. Banks, and B. R. Champ, (eds.). Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Stored-Product Protection, April 17–23, 1994, Canberra, Australia. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leliveldt B. and Laborius G. A. 1990. Effectiveness and specificity of the antagonist Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Col.: Histeridae) on the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), pp. 87-102, in R. H. Markham and H. R. Herren (eds.). Biological Control of the Larger Grain Borer. Proceedings of an IITA/FAO Coordination Meeting, Cotonou, Republic of Benin, June 2–3, 1989. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazur S. 1997. A world catalogue of the Histeridae (Coleoptera: Histeroidea). Int J. Invert. Tax. (Suppl.): 1-373.

  • Mendel Z. 1988. Attraction of Orthotomicus erosus and Pityogenes calcaratus to synthetic aggregation pheromone of Ips typographus. Phytoparasitica 16:109-117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merlin J., Lemaitre O., and Gregoire J. C. 1996. Oviposition in Cryptolaemus montrouzieri stimulated by wax filaments of its prey. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 79:141-146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller M. C., Moser J. C., Gregoire J. C., Baisier M., Dahlsten D. L., and Werner R. A. 1987. Potential for biological control of North American Dendroctonous beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 80:417-428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oussou R., Meikle W. G., and Markham R. H. 1999. Factors affecting larval survivorship and development rate of larvae of Teretriosoma nigrescens (Lewis). Insect Sci. Appl. 18:53-58.

    Google Scholar 

  • PÖschko M. 1994. Research into the Biology and Host-specificity of Teretriosoma nigrescens, A Potential Natural Antagonist of Prostephanus truncatus. GTZ Eschborn, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees D. P. 1985. Life history of Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae) and its ability to suppress populations of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). J. Stored Prod. Res. 21:115-118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees D. P. 1990. Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Col.: Histeridae) a predator of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Col.: Bostrichidae): current status of knowledge, pp. 103-111, in R. H. Markham and H. R. Herren, (eds.). Biological Control of the Larger Grain Borer. Proceedings of an IITA/FAO Coordination Meeting, Cotonou, Republic of Bemin, June 2–3, 1989. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees D. P. 1991. The effect of Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae) on three species of storage Bostrichidae infesting shelled maize. J. Stored Prod. Res. 27:83-86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees D. P. 1992. Further studies on the ability of Teretriosoma nigrescens (Lewis: Coleoptera: Histeridae) to prey on insect pests of stored products and to feed on stored food and beverage crops, pp. 96-103, in J. Boeye, M. Wright, and G. A. Laborius (eds.). Implementation and Further Research on Biological Control of the Larger Grain Borer. Proceedings of an FAO/GTZ Coordination Meeting, Lomé, Republic of Togo, November, 5–6, 1990. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees D. P., Rivera R. R., and Rodrigues F. J. H. 1990. Observations on the ecology of Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae) and its prey Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Trop. Sci. 30:153-165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter J., Biliwa A., Helbig J., and Henning-Helbig S. 1998. First release of Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Col., Histeridae), the predator of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Col. Bostrichidae), and follow-up investigation in southern Togo. J. Appl. Entomol. 122:383-387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royer L. and Bovin G. 1999. Infochemicals mediating the foraging behaviour of Aleochara bilineata Gyllenhal adults: Sources of attractants. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 90:199-205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholz D., Borgemeister C., and Poehling H. M. 1998. EAG and behavioural responses of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus, and its predator Teretriosoma nigrescens, to the borerproduced aggregation pheromone. Physiol. Entomol. 23:265-273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seybold S. J., Teale S. E., Wood D. L., Zhang A. J., Webster F. X., Lindahl K. Q., and Kubo I. 1992. The role of lanierone in the chemical ecology of Ips pini (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). J. Chem. Ecol. 18:2305-2329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shires S. W. 1980. Life history of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) at optimum conditions of temperature and humidity. J. Stored Prod. Res. 16:147-150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart-Jones A. 2002. Investigation of close-range behaviors and chemical cues used by Teretrius nigrescens (Lewis) (Coleoptera: Histeridae) in finding its prey Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). PhD Thesis, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich.

  • Vinson, S. B. 1985. The behavior of parasitoids, pp. 417-469, in: F. A. Kerkut and L. I. Gilbert (eds.), Comprehensive Insect Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Vol. 9, Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinson, S. B. 1991. Chemical signals used by insect parasitoids. Redia Geornale Zool. 124:15-42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waage J. K. 1978. Arrestment responses of a parasitoid, Nemeritis canescens, to a contact kairomone produced by its host Plodia interpunctella. Physiol. Entomol. 3:135-146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wainhouse D., Beech-Garwood P., Howell R. S., Kelly D., and Orozco M. P. 1992. Field response of the predator Rhizophagus grandis to prey frass and synthetic attractants. J. Chem. Ecol. 18:1693-1705.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wainhouse D., Wyatt T., Phillips A., Kelly D. R., Barghian M., Beech-Garwood P., Cross D., and Howell R. S. 1991. Response of the predator Rhizophagus grandis to host plant derived chemicals in Dendroctonus micans larval frass in wind tunnel experiments (Coleoptera: Rhizophagidae, Scolytidae). Chemoecology 2:55-63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright V. F. 1984. World distribution of Prostephanus truncatus, pp. 11-16, Proc. GASGAWorkshop on the Larger Grain Borer Prostephanus truncatus, February 24–25, 1983, TPI, Slough. GTZ, Eschborn.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyatt T. D., Phillips A. D. G., and Gregoire J. C. 1993. Turbulence, trees and semiochemicals: Wind-tunnel orientation of the predator Rhizophagus grandis to its bark beetle prey Dendroctonous micans. Physiol. Entomol. 18:204-210.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom

    A. Stewart-Jones, R. J. Hodges, L. A. Birkinshaw & D. R. Hall

Authors
  1. A. Stewart-Jones
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. J. Hodges
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. A. Birkinshaw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D. R. Hall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stewart-Jones, A., Hodges, R.J., Birkinshaw, L.A. et al. Responses of Teretrius nigrescens Toward the Dust and Frass of Its Prey, Prostephanus truncatus . J Chem Ecol 30, 1629–1646 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOEC.0000042073.92464.7d

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOEC.0000042073.92464.7d

Search

Navigation