title: Defensive secretion of first-instar larvae of rootstalk borer weevil,Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), to the fire-antSolenopsis geminata (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
abstract: Since several species of predatory ants show some kind of repulsion towards the first-instar larvae (FIL) ofDiaprepes abbreviatus L., the predatory behavior ofSolenopsis geminata (F.), a common ant in the citrus groves in Guadeloupe, was studied. Different extracts of larvae were disposed on egg masses ofD. abbreviatus and presented as prey to the ants, both in the field and in the laboratory. The ants are repelled by the FIL extracts. The allelochemicals involved are produced in large amounts, from 5 to 20 ng per larva. Physiochemical analyses have led to the identification of two sesquiterpenes of molecular weight 218 and 234, secreted in the respective proportions of 65 and 35%.
authors.affiliation: Station de Zoologie et Lutte Biologique, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, B.P. 1232, 97185, Pointe-à-Pitre, Cedex, France (F.W.I.).
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pavis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malusse
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Ducrot
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Howse
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Descoins