Light and Other Stimuli in the Location of Feeding Sites by Lesser Peach Tree Borer Larvae

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Abstract
The reactions of larval lesser peach tree borers, Synanthedon pictipes Grote and Robinson (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), to light of varying wavelength and intensity were studied in the laboratory. Only newly hatched larvae were responsive. Red, blue, and green light evoked a positive response, whereas yellow and ultraviolet did not. Field studies of larval behavior while searching for suitable feeding sites (wounds) on sour cherry trees revealed that newly hatched individuals are extremely active. Thus, the responsiveness of newly hatched larvae to light probably contributes to the observed searching. Behavior during the location of wounds was characterized by distinct patterns of long-distance and local search. In addition to the observed responses to light, chemotaxes and thigmotaxes were conjectured as other components of such analyzed searches. Lenticels, fresh wounds exposing sapwood, and other roughened bark areas apparently are major sources of the stimuli involved in eliciting the latter responses.

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