Olfactory Preferences of <i>Sitophilus zeamais</i> to Cereal- and Legume-Based Pasta

Abstract

We compared the attractiveness of five commercially available Italian macaroni pastas of different shapes (penne, casarecce, and fusilli) made from cereals and/or legumes [100% Triticum durum; 100% Cicer arietinum; 100% Lens esculenta; 50% Triticum durum + 50% Cicer arietinum; 60% Triticum durum + 40% Lens esculenta] to adults of Sitophilus zeamais (L.). A multiple-choice walking bioassay showed that S. zeamais adults were more attracted to cereal than legume pastas. The modified Flit-Track M2 trap devices baited with pasta made with 100% T. durum captured an average of 61.4% of the adults released into the olfactometric arena after 7 days. Of the insects tested, pasta made with 100% C. arietinum trapped 3.8%, pasta made with 100% L. esculenta trapped 2.7%, pasta made with 50% T. durum + 50% C. arietinum trapped 4.3%, and pasta made with 60% T. durum + 40% L. esculenta trapped 4.2%. When individually compared, 79.6% of S. zeamais adults chose the Triticum durum pasta. Orientation to 100% Cicer pasta or 100% Lens pasta was not observed. In the choice test, only 37% and 25% were attracted to Triticum and Cicer pastas or Triticum and Lens pasta, respectively. Our results confirm that the low attractiveness of legume pasta is mainly due to the lack of attractant stimuli rather than the emission of repellent compounds. From a practical perspective, it is also interesting to note how mixed pasta decreases the risk of S. zeamais infestation.

Keywords

• maize weevil
• olfactory arena tests
• pasta preferences