Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, India
*Corresponding author’s present address: Ch. Chhotu Ram (P.G.) College, Muzaffarnagar - 251 001, Uttar Pradesh, India, E-mail: jonikumar68@gmail.com
Online Published on 08 April, 2022.
Olfactory sensitivity of male and female of Bracon bravicornis (Wesmael) was determined to ten synthetic volatiles and extracts of okra plant by electroantennogram. Both genders were found differentially sensitivity to each compound tested. Male was found more sensitive to all tested compounds and plant extracts than female. A significant difference was found between the responses of male and female to okra extracts, green leaf volatiles and octadecane. The responses elicited by green leaf volatiles were higher than okra extracts and plant hydrocarbons. These findings indicate that the parasitic wasps are able to detect volatile compounds released from host plant. Pre-conditioning of parasitic wasps with these compounds in laboratory could increase the foraging efficiency.
Bracon bravicornis, Dose-response, Electroantennography, HIVPs, Okra volatiles
