SENSORY ASPECTS OF TRAIL-FOLLOWING AND ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS IN THE ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE, Anoplophora glabripennis
Open Access
- Author:
- Graves, Fern Briann
- Graduate Program:
- Entomology
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- June 02, 2016
- Committee Members:
- Kelli Hoover, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Thomas Charles Baker, Committee Member
James Harold Marden, Committee Member - Keywords:
- pheromone
invasive species
cerambycidae
behavior
mate-finding
sex trail pheromone
chemical ecology
tarsal setae - Abstract:
- The Asian longhorned beetle Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) is an invasive pest of hardwood trees, capable of severe damage to forests and urban and suburban areas across the United States, Europe and Canada. To better understand the behavioral ecology of this species, I investigated sensory abilities and associated behaviors of male A. glabripennis with respect to the detection and following of a female-produced sex pheromone trail. Due to the important role this pheromone plays in mate-finding, it is crucial that we understand how males are detecting and behaving in response to the pheromone. In this thesis, I evaluate the sensory capabilities of male A. glabripennis following removal of the terminal four antennal segments and/or the maxillary and labial palps of the mouthparts. A two-choice behavioral bioassay was used to determine successful trail following and related behaviors. I also tested the ability of males to follow trail pheromone volatiles without physical contact with the pheromone. Results suggest that the palps are primarily responsible for sensing the pheromone, and no evidence was found for volatile detection. This suggests that the pheromone trail is detected by gustatory receptors. Through SEM investigations, I found no chemosensilla on the forelegs or tarsi. However, images show dense setae on the ventral surface of the tarsi of the male A. glabripennis. These setae are likely attachment devices for walking up substrates, and possibly for holding onto females during copulation. Although this set of images is not directly related to trail following, it provides an interesting look at the insect’s biology. The findings in this thesis are important in elucidating the behaviors and sensory structures involved in the trail-following aspect of mate-finding, which can give researchers a more complete picture of the behavioral ecology of this species. These results could also aid in determining if and how the sex trail pheromone produced by female A. glabripennis could have applications for management of this invasive species.