Indication of a female-produced sex pheromone in the boxwood leafminer,Monarthropalpus flavus (Schrank) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Abstract: The boxwood leafminer, Monarthropalpus flavus (Schrank) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae),is a major pest of Buxus spp. The authors of this paper carried out a field experiment in Hungary,2008-2009, to study whether there is any indication of a sex pheromone released by the females.Delta-shaped traps baited with virgin females were used in a heavily infested boxwood hedge inBudapest. Catches were counted every half an hour from 7.30 am to 20.00 pm during a period of2+2. Traps caught approximately 13 (2008) and 4 (2009) times more males than control traps. Asfar as the daily rhythm of catches is concerned, the highest number of adults was caught in themorning (approx. between 7.30 and 12.00). These results may be regarded as an indication of acalling behaviour of M. flavus females, and serve as basis of further research to develop aboxwood leafminer sex pheromone trap.