Volatile and Non-Volatile Organic Compounds Stimulate Oviposition by Aphidophagous Predators

摘要

Evidence that volatile and non-volatile organic compounds stimulate aphid-eating predators to lay eggs is scattered throughout the scientific literature. The objectives of this review are to compile records indicating that organic compounds stimulate egg laying, calculate an egg production ratio for stimulated predators, and determine if the egg production ratio is correlated with vapor pressure and molecular weight of active compounds. Results indicated that both volatile and non-volatile compounds stimulated egg laying behavior by coccinellid beetles and syrphid flies, but not chrysopid lacewings. The egg production ratio was greatest for syrphid flies. Regardless of predator taxa, the egg production ratio was negatively and positively correlated with molecular weight and vapor pressure, respectively. In conclusion, volatile organic compounds stimulate syrphid flies to lay more eggs than coccinellid beetles and chrysopid lacewings. Volatile organic compounds could be used to manipulate predators to lay more eggs in mass rearing systems or on aphid-infested plants in greenhouses or high tunnels.