Role of Kairomones in Ovipositional Preference of Coconut Black-headed Caterpillar Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae)

Abstract

The oviposition preference assay was conducted to determine the role of host kairomones for oviposition behavior of Opisina arenosella. Results revealed that, ovipositing females are significantly attracted for oviposition to coconut leaf and larval frass volatiles than control. The chemicals present in leaf and frass viz., linalool (91.54%), acetophenone (87.58%) and limonene (80.65%) were more attractive among six electrophysiologically active volatiles. These three volatiles can be used to develop a semiochemical based pest management method.