Vibrational Communication of Scolypopa australis (Walker, 1851) (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae)—Towards a Novel Sustainable Pest Management Tool

Nicola Jayne Sullivan, Sabina Avosani, Ruth C. Butler and Lloyd D. Stringer
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Nicola Jayne Sullivan: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch Mail Centre, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Sabina Avosani: DICAM Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
Ruth C. Butler: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch Mail Centre, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Lloyd D. Stringer: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch Mail Centre, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: A study was undertaken to determine whether Scolypopa australis , the passionvine hopper, communicates using substrate-borne vibrations, as its use of such signals for communication is currently unknown. This insect is a costly pest to the kiwifruit industry in New Zealand, where few pest management tools can be used during the growing season. Vibrations emitted by virgin females and males of S. australis released alone on leaves of Griselinia littoralis were recorded with a laser vibrometer to identify and characterise potential spontaneous calling signals produced by either sex. In addition to single-insect trials, preliminary tests were conducted with female–male pair trials to determine whether individuals exchanged signals. The signal repertoire of S. australis includes a male calling signal and two female calling signals. However, no evidence of duetting behaviour that is potentially necessary for pair formation has been found to date. Our outcome suggests that a deeper understanding of the role of vibrational communication employed by S. australis is needed, and by disclosing the pair formation process, a new residue-free pest management tool against this pest may be developed. In addition, this vibration-based tool could contribute to future biosecurity preparedness and response initiatives.

Keywords: biotremology; vibration; communication; residue-free; kiwifruit; Actinidia; passionvine hopper; behavioural manipulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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