Acrolepiopsis assectella

Leaf odours. The total essence which emanates from growing leaves is not solely constituted of straight chain alcohols and aldehydes. In the insect s selection of a host plant, species-specific components might be involved. The leek moth Acrolepiopsis assectella is attracted by thiosulfinates, compounds isolated from leek. Cis-3-hexen-1-ol was also shown to be attractive (27). 

Several species of insects are associated with Allium species. For example, both adults and larvae of Delia antiqua, the onion fly, are atb-acted to disulfides characteristic of these plants (Stadler, 1992). Another specialist, the leek moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella, was found to respond to the same group of compounds. However, dipropyl sulfinate, the precursor of the disulfides, is even more stimulatory. A parasite of the leek moth, Diadromus pulchellus (Ichneumoni-dae), reacts mainly to the disulfides that emanate from leaves damaged by the leek moth (Stadler, 1992). 

Larvae of the leek-moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella, feed on the leaves of various Allium species, but usually avoid the flowers. The saponin aginoside was isolated from these flowers and shown to be toxic to the larvae. The level of toxicity was reduced by addition of cholesterol or sitosterol to the diet of the larvae (Harmatha et al., 1987). 

Acanthoscelides obtectus Bean weevil Coleoptera Bruchidae Acrolepiopsis assectella Leek moth... 

Acrolepiopsis assectella Leek and ordon, all Olfactometer with two parallel Limonene shows repellent... 

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