Olfactory responses of Dasineura Dielsi Rübsaamen (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) females to host plant volatiles

Includes abstract. ; Includes bibliographical references. ; In 2001, Dasineura dielsi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a gall midge, was introduced into South Africa as a biological control agent on the invasive alien plant species, Acacia cyclops (Mimosaceae). An investigation was launched to test the following hypotheses: 1) the midges respond to the scent of A. cyclops to locate suitable oviposition sites; 2) the floral scent of A. melanoxylon, A. longifolia and A. saligna resembles that of A. cyclops and this explains the insects’use of these plants too; and 3) the floral scents of African acacias are distinctly different from A. cyclops and therefore has no attraction for D. dielsi.