Influence of barometric pressure on odor discrimination and oviposition by adult plum curculios (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

We conducted laboratory experiments to elucidate the influence of barometric pressure on odor discrimination and oviposition and feeding behavior of adult female plum curculios, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst). Barometric pressure had a significant effect on Response Index values (used as a measure of odor discrimination); odor discrimination of hexane-extracted McIntosh fruit volatiles was high when barometric pressure was high. Barometric pressure also had a significant effect on oviposition as females oviposited more during periods of low barometric pressure on a favored host fruit (wild plum). Observed feeding activity of females was not influenced by barometric pressure.