Entomologist USDA-APHIS Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
The spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is a major pest of grape in invaded regions of the United States. We investigated the role of chemical signals in sexual attraction of these insects prior to mating (Early) by assessing the behavioral responses of both sexes to male- and female-produced body volatiles. For that, the body volatiles were collected from Early males or females, analyzed on a Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Electroantennography (GC-EAD). We found that only Early males were attracted to volatiles of Early males or females. The qualitative analysis of the body volatiles of either Early males or females revealed several antennal active compounds. Both male and female antennae detected the same compounds, although they behaved differently to the same compounds in olfactometer assays. More analytical analysis and behavioral bioassays are underway to develop our understanding of behavioral differences between SLF males and females.
