A semiochemical enhancing the attractiveness of aphidophagous predators in potato crops

Aphids are major pests of crops worldwide and the use of pesticides has led to resistant populations. The integration of aphid natural enemies in integrated management programs could be an option, but their efficacy is often limited by their quick dispersal from the ecosystem where they are released. Here, using wind-tunnel and field experiments, we have demonstrated that 3-Methyl-2-butenal acts as an efficient attractant and ovipositional stimulant for the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae), enhancing its efficiency as biological control agent in crop fields. Wind-tunnel assays allowed determining that a minimal dose of 250 µg of 3-Methyl-2-butenal is required to attract the hoverflies over a distance of 2.5 m while a minimal dose of 500 µg is needed to induce the oviposition. Both attraction and oviposition increased proportionally to the tested doses showing that hoverflies are able to regulate their oviposition according to the chemical stimuli from their environment. In field experiments, both Syrphidae and Chrysopidae were strongly attracted by the 3-Methyl-2-butenal at a dose of 10 mg which also induces the oviposition of these two aphid predators in potato crops. This study also highlighted that hoverflies are the most abundant aphid predators found in natural environment. Against aphids, the use of this semiochemical could certainly enhance the efficiency of natural enemies. Furthermore, the use of the chemical cue 3-Methyl-2-butenal could provide a novel approach to control aphids in field and greenhouse systems.