Visual Cues Are Relevant in Behavioral Control Measures for Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Authors: Gadi V.P. Reddy & A. Raman This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Economic Entomology following peer review. The version of record, as cited below, is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ec10313 Reddy, G.V.P., and A. Raman. 2011. Visual cues are relevant in behavioral control measures for Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 436–442. doi: 10.1603/ec10313 Made available through Montana State University’s ScholarWorks scholarworks.montana.edu Visual Cues Are Relevant in Behavioral Control Measures for Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Gadi V.P. Reddy1 and A. Raman2 1 Corresponding author: Western PaciÞc Tropical Research Center, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, Mangi- lao, GU 96923 (e-mail: [email protected]). 2 Charles Sturt University and E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia. Abstract Trap designs for banana root borer, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), have been done essentially on the understanding that C. sordidus rely primarily on chemical cues. Our present results indicate that these borers also rely on visual cues. Previous studies have demonstrated that among the eight differently colored traps tested in the field, brown traps were the most effective compared with the performances of yellow, red, gray, blue, black, white, and green traps; mahogany-brown was more effective than other shades of brown. In the current study, efficiency of ground traps with different colors was evaluated in the laboratory for the capture of C. sordidius. Response of C. sordidus to pheromone-baited ground traps of several different colors (used either individually or as 1:1 mixtures of two different colors) were compared with the standardized mahogany-brown traps. Traps with mahogany-brown mixed with different colors had no significant effect. In contrast, a laboratory color-choice tests indicated C. sordidus preferred black traps over other color traps, with no specific preferences for different shades of black. Here again, traps with black mixed with other colors (1:1) had no influence on the catches. Therefore, any other color that mixes with mahogany-brown or black does not cause color-specific dilution of attractiveness. By exploiting these results, it may be possible to produce efficacious trapping systems that could be used in a behavioral approach to banana root borer control. The data from our previous trapping studies indi- cated that a high population level (Ͼ10 per wk) was The banana root borer, Cosmopolites sordidus (Ger- recorded in the northern region of Guam, whereas low mar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a major pest in (Ͻ5 weevils per wk) to medium (Þve to 10 weevils per most banana (Musa L.)-growing regions of the world wk) level populations occurred in the southern parts (Stover and Simmonds 1987, Gold et al. 2001), par- of the island (Reddy et al. 2008). This weevil can cause ticularly in those regions where bananas are used a yield loss of up to 100% when left uncontrolled. either in cooking or in making the dessert (Sikora et Recommendations for the integrated pest manage- al. 1989). In recent times, this borer has turned out to ment (IPM) of the banana root borer emphasize cul- be a serious problem in commercial banana farms of tural controls, including the use of clean planting ma- Guam and the nearby Micronesian Islands. The larvae terial, pseudostem trapping, and crop sanitation (i.e., of the banana root borer tunnel in the rhizome, weak- destruction of crop residues). Trapping with synthetic ening the steadiness of the plant and interfering with pheromones (based on the male aggregation phero- nutrient uptake. Relatively little damage is caused by mone Sordidin) also has been promoted (Reddy and adults feeding on plant tissues (Gold et al. 2001). Borer Guerrero 2010). Although several banana root borer attack can lead to poor crop establishment, plant loss predators are available, and attempts at biological con- due to snapping and toppling, lower bunch weights trol using predatory beetles throughout the PaciÞc (failure to produce suckers), and short plantation life have been made, most of them have been disappoint- (Rukazambuga et al. 1998, McIntyre et al. 2002, Gold ing (Gold et al. 2001). et al. 2004). Yield losses increase with time and can Because traps for pestiferous insects are important exceed 50%. The banana root borerÕs host range is tools in IPM programs, in the present circumstance, restricted to Musa and Ensete (Musaceae). The total use of pheromone traps presents itself as the best life cycle is from 30 to 40: egg stage, 5Ð7 d; larval stages, option. Trapping with synthetic pheromones (based 15Ð20 d; and pupal stage, 6Ð8 d. Adults live up to 4 yr, on Sordidin) has been in use for monitoring popula- are nocturnally active, and have a fecundity rate of Ͻ2 tions of C. sordidus (Alpizar et al. 1999; Reddy et al. eggs per wk (Gold et al. 2001). 2008, 2009). Pheromone traps are limiting by cost, Fig. 1. Ground trap used in the current study. because use of four pheromone-baited traps per hect- Ϸ0.8 ha [2 acres]) in these locations were used. In- are in a single line spaced at 20 m is vital for efÞcient door experiments were carried out in the dark labo- management. Moreover, every month the lure has to ratory (10 by 6ϫ3.5 m) in the Western PaciÞc Quar- be replaced and the trap line moved 20 m such that the antine Biocontrol Laboratory, College of Natural and entire Þeld is comprehensively covered every 4 mo, Applied Sciences at the University of Guam. which renders it labor-intensive. As shown in the Fig. 1, the ground trap was con- Scarce data are available on C. sordidus monitoring structed in the laboratory using a 40- by 25-cm white by using either color or pheromone-embellished color corrugated plastic sheet, with a 25- by 12-cm slitted traps. Therefore it became essential to characterize bafße Þt at the top to prevent borers from escaping factors that affect trap-capture efÞciency to improve (Reddy et al. 2005). The lower outer edges of the trap performance and render traps more reliable in ground traps were shielded in ßush with ground to IPM tactics. However, it also may depend upon the prevent weevils from crawling under the traps. Pher- accurate representation of borer threat and precision. omone (Cosmolure) lures (details in the following Adults of C. sordidus use visual and olfactory cues to paragraph) were suspended from the top of the trap locate hosts and traps (Reddy et al. 2008, 2009). In to inside with a wire. Four pheromone-baited traps per previous Þeld experiments, C. sordidus was found to ha spaced at 20 m were used in a single line. Every prefer mahogany-brown traps more than the other month, the lure was replaced and the trap line moved color traps, indicating that visual cues are critical in 20 m, such that the entire Þeld was systematically mate location (Reddy et al. 2009). The purpose of this covered in 4 mo. study was to determine the effects of trap color in Þeld Pheromone Lures. Cosmolure sealed in a white and indoor environments to develop an efÞcient polymer-membrane release device and optimized for semiochemically based trapping method for managing C. sordidus (ChemTica Internacional S.A., San Jose´, populations of C. sordidus. Here, we report contrasting Costa Rica). The lure packs, each containing 90 mg of behavioral responses of C. sordidus to differently col- pheromone appearing in blue and with a release rate ored pheromone sources and visual baits in Þeld and of 3 mg/d (Tinzaara et al. 2005) were stored at 4ЊC laboratory conditions. until use. Lures were hung on 2-cm copper wires suspended from the top of each ground trap. The lures were changed usually once (occasionally twice) a Materials and Methods month when the transparent container with the pher- Experimental Sites. Field trials were carried out in omone seemed empty. Because C. sordidus occurs on the island of Guam (United States) at Dededo (13.52Њ N, and attacks both indoor and outdoor banana plants, 144.84Њ E), Mangilao (13.43Њ N, 144.80Њ E), Malojloj trials were carried out in the Þeld and in the labora- (13.39Њ N, 144.45Њ E), Inarajan (13.15Њ N, 144.30Њ E), tory. and Yigo (13.54Њ N, 144.89Њ E). The prevailing tem- Trap-Color Measurements. Trap-color characteris- perature, relative humidity, and wind velocity were tics were determined using a Konica Minolta CR-410 recorded during the trials. Banana plantations (each chromometer (Minolta Instrument Systems, Ramsey, Table 1. Color measurements of paint colors mixed with mahogany-brown (m-brown; 1:1) used on ground traps Trap color L*a a*a b*a Chroma (C) Hue angle (hЊ) Black/m-brown 33.30 Ϯ 0.19 Ϫ0.34 Ϯ 0.01 1.09 Ϯ 0.03 1.14 Ϯ 0.02 Gray/m-brown 53.01 Ϯ 0.02 8.59 Ϯ 0.20 5.44 Ϯ 0.06 10.16 Ϯ 0.20 32.36 Ϯ 0.32 Yellow/m-brown 45.90 Ϯ 0.46 4.17 Ϯ 0.34 19.81 Ϯ 0.26 20.25 Ϯ 0.32 78.12 Ϯ 0.80 Red/m-brown 39.11 Ϯ 0.11 22.40 Ϯ 0.25 11.19 Ϯ 0.07 25.04 Ϯ 0.25 26.55 Ϯ 0.12 White/m-brown 67.07 Ϯ 0.07 10.22 Ϯ 0.02 5.95 Ϯ 0.03 11.83 Ϯ 0.03 30.21 Ϯ 0.07 Green/m-brown 36.23 Ϯ 2.69 Ϫ7.12 Ϯ 0.05 4.83 Ϯ 0.04 8.61 Ϯ 0.06 Blue/m-brown 34.11 Ϯ 0.06 Ϫ1.09 Ϯ 0.03 Ϫ1.45 Ϯ 0.01 1.81 Ϯ 0.01 53.07 Ϯ 0.82 Means Ϯ SD were generated from three observations.