Dates Fruit Allelochemicals Compounds and their Effect on Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Oviposition Behaviour

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Y. ARIF 1
N. Lombarkia 2
1 National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA), Sidi-Mahdi experimental station. Touggourt, Algeria.
2 Institute of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, University of Batna, Algeria.
10.48311/jast.2025.16832
Abstract
The incidence of allelochemical substances on the oviposition behaviour of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), to select appropriate site for oviposition and food sources for his future offspring, on three Algerian date varieties (Ghars, Deglet-Nour, and Degla-Beidha) was investigated. The use of Headspace collection via Solid Phase Micro-Extraction followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry method allowed the detection of 68 compounds of which only 22 were identified in all date varieties studied. The behavioural test with wind tunnel explored the response of E. ceratoniae adult females to the various sources of odours, coming from different combinations of synthetic substances identified in the three date varieties. The pure substances (mono-compounds) presented the highest rates of laid eggs compared to those in the mixture. Ketones stimuli were the most attractive with about 41% of the total eggs laid rate, followed by the alcohols (15%) and terpene (7.44%). The esters and phenols showed 6.38% and 5.58% eggs laid, respectively. These results could open up other research paths to manage this pest and their impact on it host plants.

Keywords

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 27, Issue 5
July and August 2025
Pages 1079-1091