title: Infestation Level Influences Oviposition Site Selection in the Tomato Leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).
abstract: The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a devastating pest that develops principally on solanaceous plants throughout South and Central America and Europe. In this study, we tested the influence of three levels of T. absoluta infestations on the attraction and oviposition preference of adult T. absoluta. Three infestation levels (i.e., non-infested plants, plants infested with 10 T. absoluta larvae, and plants infested with 20 T. absoluta larvae) were presented by pairs in a flying tunnel to groups of T. absoluta adults. We found no differences in terms of adult attraction for either level of infestations. However, female oviposition choice is influenced by larvae density on tomato plants. We discuss the underlying mechanisms and propose recommendations for further research.
authors.affiliation: Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. Thomas.bawin@doct.ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bawin
authors.affiliation: Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. ldebacker@doct.ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Backer
authors.affiliation: Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. ddujeu@student.ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dujeu
authors.affiliation: Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. plegrand@alumni.ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Legrand
authors.affiliation: Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. r.caparros@doct.ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Rudy Caparros
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Megido
authors.affiliation: Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. frederic.francis@ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. fverheggen@ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: François J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Verheggen
keywords: Scrobipalpuloides absoluta; Solanum lycopersicum; attraction; insect interaction; oviposition; volatile organic compound