Abstract
Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz), a hunting spider, feeds on eggs of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and other moths. This study investigated whether C. inclusum can use chemical compounds present in H. zea scales and egg residues as kairomones to find these non-motile prey items. In a series of no- choice tests, spiders were presented with a piece of florist paper containing scales alone, scales + egg residues, or untreated controls. Next, spiders were presented with solvent extracts of either scales or eggs. Polar and non-polar solvents were used in the extractions. Contact with scales alone, scales + egg residues, and non-polar solvent extracts of both scales and eggs resulted in retention and/or induction of local searching behavior. Extracts made with polar solvents induced no apparent response, indicating that the chemostimulatory compounds are lipophilic. These results show that C. inclusum responds to kairomones left by ovipositing H. zea and use these chemical cues to detect and locate H. zea eggs.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr. Mamoudou Sétamou (Texas A&M University, Kingsville) for assisting us with the statistical analysis. The manuscript was greatly improved by suggestions provided by W. Meikle, T. Zaviezo and two anonymous reviewers. Funding for this project was provided by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA for its use.
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Gallagher, R.I., Patt, J.M. & Pfannenstiel, R.S. Searching Responses of a Hunting Spider to Cues Associated with Lepidopteran Eggs. J Insect Behav 26, 79–88 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-012-9339-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-012-9339-3