Analysis of acoustic stimulus to Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) through Electroantennogram (EAG) technique

The study utilized the Electroantennogram (EAG) technique as biological acoustic stimulus to Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae). Pure tone sounds and courtship songs were tested in the excised head of test specimens. Significant EAG stimuli were detected when released at 20 Hz pure tone sound together with the courtship song having long pulse train patterns of Cryptonevra inquilina and Lipara japonica (Chloropidae). For their biological effectiveness, movement behaviors were analyzed with stimulus taken from EAG recordings. No attraction effect was observed even with and without acoustic stimulus. However, movement activities were transformed by information entropy and observed to be clearly different when selected acoustic stimuli were broadcast. The combination of response to EAG and behavioral observation would be useful to determine effective movement modification through acoustic stimulus in insect pests that are necessary toward the development of an acoustic pest management tool in agriculture.

Highlights► EAG would be useful for detecting the significant acoustic signals. ► The courtship song of L. trifolii could not change the behavior of test specimens. ► However, activities of specimens were decreased when played the courtship song of C. inquiline.