Trehalase plays a critical role in metabolic processes by catalyzing the hydrolysis of trehalose to glucose. In this study, we cloned and characterized a full-length cDNA encoding membrane-bound trehalase in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and named it as BdTre2. BdTre2 contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1842 bp,which encoded a putative 613 amino acids. Alignment analysis revealed that the deduced protein sequence of BdTre2 had about a 70% identity to Tre2 of most dipteran insects, suggesting that this gene was conserved in the evolution of the Diptera. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the deduced protein of BdTre2 was more homologous to the trehalase2 gene than insect trehalase1 gene. The expression pattern in different developmental stages and tissues of BdTre2 in B. dorsalis was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and the results showed that BdTre2 was strongly expressed in the adult stage, particularly in the midgut. Concurrently, the enzyme activity assay showed that trehalase 2 was more active in the adult stage and Malpighian tubules than in other developmental stages or tissues. Our results provide evidence that BdTre2 is involved in activity of the midgut, possibly in chitin synthesis and energy metabolism, and it is important for B. dorsalis adults.

Biotype B of the sweetpotato whitefly (SPWF), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (also known as the silverleaf whitefly, B. argentifolii Bellows & Perring), is the key pest of tomatoes in south Florida, primarily as a vector of the begomovirus Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Insecticides are most often used to manage the SPWF and TYLCV. A resistance monitoring program that was initiated in Florida in 2000 was continued from 2008 to 2010 and included 4 neonicotinoid insecticides (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, and acetamiprid), the insect growth regulator buprofezin, the pyrethroid bifenthrin, and the organochlorine endosulfan. Ten field populations in 2008 and 9 each in 2009 and 2010 were established with nymphal infested foliage and were tested for susceptibility using a systemic uptake, cut-leaf petiole bioassay with adults for the neonicotinoids; a leaf-dip bioassay with 2nd instars for buprofezin; and a vial bioassay with adults for bifenthrin and endosulfan. Each field population was exposed to the LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ of a known susceptible laboratory colony for each respective insecticide and mortality was compared with that at the same doses predicted from probit analyses of field populations tested in 2007. T-tests were used to determine the significance of differences between the mean mortality at the LC values of each field collected colony compared to the respective LC values of the laboratory susceptible strain. T-tests were also used to determine the significance of differences between the mean of the predicted mortality at the LC values of field collected populations in 2007 and the means of the LC values of field collected populations in 2008–2010 for each insecticide. Results indicated that, based on mortality averaged over all populations evaluated, all of the neonicotinoids indicated decreases in average susceptibility in 2008 and 2009 compared with the 2007 values, although the differences were less for dinotefuran and acetamiprid. The lowest average of mortality at both the LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ in 2008 and 2009 occurred for imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. These neonicotinoids had been in use longer than either of the other two. Mortality values for bifenthrin suggested an overall increase in field susceptibility in 2008 and 2009 while values for endosulfan suggested no change. There were no data predicted for buprofezin in 2007, but the 2008 average mortalities at the LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ were 0.438 and 0.802, respectively, indicating that field susceptibility was at an acceptable level. In 2010 the average susceptibility to the neonicotinoids appeared to have increased compared with previous years; however, the field populations tended to be evaluated after they had been reared in the laboratory without exposure to insecticides for more generations than in previous years. Despite this, average susceptibility to endosulfan appeared to decrease. The results showed the utility of using predicted LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ values, over the use of full dose range, for monitoring changes in susceptibility in field populations thru time. The data presented here provide important information aid to growers and producers in making decisions on insecticide usage.

Our review of the skipper genus Matapa Moore (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) in China revealed that there are 6 species in the country. A new species, M. pseudodruna, sp. nov. from Nanling National Nature Reserve, Guangdong Province, is described and illustrated. M. druna (Moore), M. purpurascens Elwes & Edwards and M. cresta Evans are recorded in the country for the first time. We propose that Metapa pseudosasivarna Lee should be a new synonym of M. sasivarna (Moore). The key for the separation of the Matapa species by de Jong is modified to reflect our result. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Insect Collection of the South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou (SCAU).

The Chinese species of the genus Deferunda Distant, 1912 are reviewed. They include 9 species as follows: D. acuminata Chou & Wang, 1985, D. diana Chen & He, 2010, D. ellipsoidea sp. nov., D. lua sp. nov., D. qiana Chen & He, 2010, D. rubrostigma (Matsumura, 1914), D. striata Wang & Liu, 2008, D. trimaculata Wang & Peng, 2008 and D. truncata Chen, Yang & Wilson, 1989. The 2 new species, D. ellipsoidea sp. nov. and D. lua sp. nov., are described and illustrated. A checklist of Chinese species and a key to all known species in the genus are provided.

Locusts, large gregarious and migratory grasshoppers, are pests of economic importance in several regions of the world because of the severe damage they can cause to crops. The Central American locust, Schistocerca piceifrons is the most important locust species in the Americas, and it is distributed in zones of Mexico, Central and South America. In Mexico, despite the efforts to survey and monitor S. piceifrons (Walker) populations, outbreaks are still difficult to predict and prevent, and high economic and ecological costs are incurred in controlling them. The purpose of this study was to build a dynamic model of locust growth and development as a function of environmental conditions in order to identify suitable conditions for the high reproduction rates of this insect. This information can be used to assist in locust management. A modular approach and numerical integration techniques were applied in model building. The main inputs of the model were daily rainfall and temperature data, and physical soil properties such as texture and depth. The model estimates the growth of non-cultivated grass in breeding zones and oviposition rates as a function of soil moisture. The development rates of the different locust stages are calculated as a function of temperature. The model satisfactorily represents S. piceifrons behaviour, and generates 2 generations per yr, the first in summer and the second in winter. In locations with suboptimal temperatures the second generation does not complete development until the next year. A good agreement was found between model outputs and field data from Yucatan, Mexico for 2008 to 2010. Based on these results the model is proposed for use as a tool to support S. piceifrons monitoring by the National Locust Control Program.

Two new species, Pangrapta paralasiophora sp. nov. and Pangrapta neorecusata sp. nov.,are described from South China. Each of them is superficially similar to Pangrapta lasiophora(Hampson, 1926) and Pangrapta recusata (Walker, 1859), but they can easily be distinguishedby their genitalia. Illustrations of external features and genitalia are provided.

To uncover the relationship between chemical receptors and behaviors of the erythrina gall wasp (EGW), Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim (Hymenptera: Eulophidae), and to elucidate the chemical connections between the parasite and the host plant, the present study focused on determining the types, morphologies and distributions of the various antennal sensilla of adult EGW. With scanning electron microscopy and 3-dimensional microscopy, we found that the antennae of EGW adults have 6 kinds of sensilla, namely, sensory pore sensilla, chaetica sensilla, multiporous plate sensilla, trichoid sensilla, basiconic capitate peg sensilla and uniporous trichoid sensilla. Both the male and female wasps have these 6 kinds of sensilla. However the types and numbers of sensilla on the funicle and clava differed between males and females, but such a difference was not seen on the scape and pedicel between the 2 sexual genders. We found one kind of sensillum located on the end of pedicel of Q. erythrinae Kim that has not been described previously. The results of our research may aid use of EGW in the biological control of undesirable Erythrina spp. trees.

The sawfly, Arge xanthogaster (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Argidae), has recently emerged as a major pest of roses (Rosa spp. L; Rosales: Rosaceae) in Meghalaya and causes around 80% damage to wild and cultivated rose plants. This is a first report of A. xanthogaster as a pest of roses in India. Adults cause ovipositional injuries (split shoots) and larval feeding often results in complete defoliation. The species is multivoltine. Studies on its life history in new habitat are given. Since this species belongs to a species complex of Arge in which species are difficult to distinguish, an attempt was made to develop a DNA barcode based on standard barcoding gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) of the mitochondrial DNA of this species.

Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a non-native moth attacking prickly pear cactus, Opuntia spp., in southeastern U.S. The insect is also an important threat to ecological systems and to native and endangered Opuntia spp. in southwestern USA. The egg parasitoid Trichogramma fuentesi Torre (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) was discovered attacking wild C. cactorum in Florida. To evaluate the potential effect of inundative releases of T. fuentesi against C. cactorum, the host searching behavior of T. fuentesi on C. cactorum eggs and host suitability of selected lepidopteran eggs were studied in the laboratory. Host suitability was studied on the native blue cactus moth, Melitara prodenialis Walker, and 6 selected species of butterfly eggs [Danaus plexippus (L.), Dryas iulia (Hübner), Junonia coenia (Hübner), Papilio glaucus (L.), Papilio polyxenes (F.), and Vanessa cardui (L.)] to assess the potential for non-target effects from T. fuentesi. The proportion of parasitism of the native cactus moth (M. prodenialis) was 98%; significantly higher than the non-native cactus moth, C. cactorum (11% average parasitism rate). The high proportion of parasitism for all native non-target species tested and the lowest proportion of parasitism for the exotic target species suggested that T. fuentesi not be considered for inundative releases in a biological control approach against C. cactorum.

A solid state formulation of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin has been developed for biological control of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790). Two kinds of bioassays (dry conidia and dipping) using 10 isolates from several coleopterans in Mediterranean environments, identified 2 RPW derived isolates (193 and 203) as most pathogenic to RPW larvae and adults (zero survival within first 4–5 d for dry conidia, and 14 and 23 d for dipping bioassays). Isolate 203 (5.1 × 10⁸ ± 1.9 × 108 conidia g^-1) was formulated with fragmented date seed into solid granules and tested in palms infested with RPW under semi-field conditions in Feb, Apr/May and Jun of both 2007 and 2008. Beauveria bassiana significantly reduced RPW adult survival with respect to controls in May 2007 and in the Apr/Jun 2008 experiments. Total RPW adult mortality was achieved within 30 days for all B. bassiana treatments, and was associated with increasing numbers of insects with signs of mycosis in 2008 experiments. Beauveria bassiana formulation reduced RPW multiplication in artificially infested palms compared to controls, and a positive correlation between numbers of larvae and time post-infestation was recorded. The suppression of RPW adult populations by B. bassiana persisted for at least 3 months under semi-field conditions. The Beauveria bassiana solid formulation, which induces great adult mortality and persistence in the field, could be applied as a preventive as well as a curative treatment for the integrated management of RPW.

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the insect vector of huanglongbing (HLB), the most devastating citrus disease in the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two species of commercially available predatory mites, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) and N. barkeri (Hughes) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), against D. citri. The predatory mites were evaluated by (1) determining their prey stage preference under no-choice conditions by providing eggs, 1st and 2nd instar nymphs; (2) determining the functional and numerical responses of the predators to varying densities of eggs (from 2 to 32/leaf disk); and (3) evaluating the control effect of N. cucumeris on D. citri on caged trees of Citrus reticulata Blanco in the field, using 1 to 8 sachets (900 ± 100 adult mites per sachet) per tree. The results indicated that N. cucumeris consumed eggs of D. citri only, whereas N. barkeri consumed eggs and 1st instar nymphs. Both predators displayed a Type III functional response (sigmoid). A single female adult of N. cucumeris consumed significantly more D. citri eggs than N. barkeri. N. cucumeris could lay eggs when feeding exclusively on D. citri eggs. The field experiment showed that control effect on D. citri was significantly correlated with the number of N. cucumeris released. Two or more sachets released per tree could achieve significant control at an initial density of 30 adult D. citri (male: female = 1:1) per tree. Improvement of field control efficacy of N. cucumeris on D. citri is discussed.

In 2005, Huanglongbing disease (HLB), also known as citrus greening, was discovered in Florida. The presumptive causal agent of this disease is the phloem-limited bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las) which is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). Following the discovery of HLB, insecticide use for control of the vector has increased dramatically. One such insecticide is aldicarb, a soil-applied systemic carbamate insecticide that has been used in Florida citrus since the 1970's for both control of insect and mite pests and for its potential plant growth promoting benefits. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soil-applications of aldicarb to citrus on the feeding behavior of D. citri, including whether this systemic insecticide disrupts feeding behaviors responsible for Las transmission. To achieve this goal, an electrical penetration graph monitor was used to examine D. citri feeding behavior when given a feeding access period of 12 h on aldicarb-treated and untreated citrus plants. Results showed no reduction in D. citri probing behaviors between treatments, and no insects died during recordings. Unexpectedly, at the cohort level, both phloem salivation and phloem ingestion were significantly longer on aldicarb-treated compared with untreated plants, suggesting that aldicarb application may increase the likelihood of Las transmission. Although registration of aldicarb for use in the U.S. has been discontinued for the last year, it has been reregistered for use in certain crops that may include citrus in the future. Thus, there is renewed importance in understanding the effects of aldicarb and other insecticides applied to suppress insect-transmitted diseases.

The involvement of red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren in the probing behavior of the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley was investigated. The electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique was applied to compare the different probing behavior of ant-tended and untended adult female mealybugs on hibiscus seedlings. The results showed that the duration of the E1, E2, and G waveforms for the mealybugs from both treatments were not significantly different. However, the E1 waveform (which indicates that the stylets have reached phloem and salivation has begun) appeared earlier in ant-tended mealybugs, with a shortened duration of the path waveform (C). The percentage of mealybugs with E2 (phloem) and G (xylem) waveforms were not significantly changed after fire ant tending, whereas apparent increases of E1e and F waveforms were observed. Therefore, the results suggested that S. invicta has significant effects on the probing behavior of P. solenopsis.

A new delphacid genus and species from Argentina, Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov, gen. et sp. nov.(Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae: Delphacini), is described and illustrated, and biological, distribution and experimental host range data are provided. Males of the new genus are easily distinguished from all other Neotropical Delphacini by being pale cream to white in color with a distinctive pair of longitudinal stripes on the face and symmetrical dark brown to black spots on the thorax and abdomen; very slender, laterally compressed, with long legs, narrow and short vertex with a small sub-apical areola continued by a distinctively simple frontal median carina. It also has unique malegenital structures. Laboratory and field data indicate this species is a specialized herbivore that feeds and oviposits exclusively on Pistia stratiotes (Alismatales: Araceae), a floating macrophyte native to South America. Lepidelphax pistiae was found throughout the distribution of P. stratiotes in Argentina.

A new species of Scirtothrips, S. coccolobae sp. nov. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is described from the state of Florida in the United States of America, and from the Cayman Islands. This species appears to be native to the Caribbean region. Present evidence indicates it to be specific to a single host plant, Coccoloba uvifera L. (Caryophyllales: Polygonaceae).

The West Indian fruit fly Anastrepha obliqua Macquart (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the major pests on mango (Mangifera indica L.; Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) and starfruit (Averrhoa carambola L.; Oxalidales: Oxalidaceae) crop plantations in Brazil. Pheromone communication inter alia plays an important role in fruit-fly courtship behavior. In order to highlight the site of pheromone synthesis, we identified and compared the volatiles from the aeration extracts of calling males with the volatiles produced by their salivary glands in 2 wild populations of A. obliqua collected from mangoes and starfruits. In addition, we performed a series of bioassays to compare the biological significance of both extracts. In total, 36 volatile compounds were identified, with 8 of them being shared by the 2 populations and the 2 extract types. Linalool and α-copaene were exclusively found in the aeration extract while ethyl heptanoate, methyl octanoate, and 1-nonanol were detected only in the salivary-gland extracts. The chemical profiles of the volatiles from the aeration extracts and from the salivary-gland extracts differed significantly between the 2 populations as well as the chemical profiles of both extracts within each population. The quantities of the 8 shared compounds generated a variability of more than 60% in the mango population and 80% in the starfruit population. The similarities observed between the chemical profiles of the aeration extracts and the salivary-gland extracts suggest that the latter could be the storage site and probably also the production site of some pheromone components in this fruit-fly species. This hypothesis is supported by the comparable biological activities of both extracts in terms of their attractiveness for conspecific females.

The invasive Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) is the vector of the bacterial pathogen (‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’) that is the putative causal agent of citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing disease) in citrus in many areas of the world. The capacity to predict the potential geographic distribution, phenology and relative abundance of the pest and disease is pivotal to developing sound policy for their management. A weather-driven physiologically based demographic model (PBDM) system was developed to summarize the available data in the literature, and used to assess prospectively the geographic distribution and relative yield of citrus, the relative densities of the psyllid, its parasitoid (Tamarixia radiata Waterston), and the potential severity of citrus greening disease in North America and the Mediterranean Basin. The potential for natural and biological control of citrus psyllid was examined prospectively.

This paper is part of a study with the goal of describing the diversity of Isotomidae (Collembola) of the State of São Paulo in southeastern Brazil. Paracerura Deharveng & Oliveira, 1994 comprises only 6 known species, all of which are restricted to Brazil. Three new species from the Atlantic Rainforest are described and illustrated, in addition an identification key for all of them is provided.

A new species Hylaeanura mendoncae sp. nov. from areas of iron ore mining in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described. It is characterized by the presence of 2 eyes on each side of the head, the sensorial seta of Abd. IV in the form of a curved and blunt sensillum, the absence of mucro, and 3 setae on each dens. A key to the 4 species known in the genus is provided.

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a serious pest of citrus due to its ability to vector the putative causal agent of huanglongbing, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus'. Populations of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) can increase in density in urban areas and then move out into adjacent commercial citrus production. Current presence/ absence detection methods for ACP in urban areas rely on the use of yellow sticky traps without a scent lure. This method was selected because of its accepted use in commercial production, however, in urban areas it may not be the most efficient method for trapping ACP. Therefore, we investigated the relative trapping efficiency of 4 different colored traps (2 hues of yellow and 2 hues of green) and the addition of 2 scent lures to yellow sticky traps. The lures were based on the volatiles emitted either from flush growth of Eureka lemon or Mexican lime. The tests were conducted in residential areas in Los Angeles, California in 2011. All of the sites were dooryard sites and trapping was done with homeowner permission. There were no statistically significant differences in trap catch between the yellow and green traps, suggesting that any of the traps tested could be used for ACP detection in an urban environment. There was no correlation between flush density and trap catches. The host plant on which the colored traps were placed did not significantly influence trap catch, although numerically more ACP adults were captured on lemon and lime trees, regardless of trap color. When scent lures were added to yellow sticky traps, no statistically significant differences were found between traps with lures and those without lures, regardless of host plant. Trapping studies for ACP in the urban environment need to be continued using more sample sites to determine if the addition of scent lures based on plant volatiles will increase trap catches.

The digestive tracts of insects may indicate life history and phylogenetic relationships among different species. Phasmatodea are chewing herbivores with an elongated body shape, which camouflages them on the vegetation on which they feed. This work evaluated the gut structure of the walking stick insect, Cladomorphus phyllinus (Gray 1835) (Phasmatoidea: Phasmidae), with light and scanning electron microscopy. The digestive tract of C. phillynus is an elongated tube with minimal external anatomical differences along its length. There is a short gastric caeca-like structure in the posterior midgut. The crop is an extensively folded storage organ and the proventriculus is covered by a thick cuticle with spine-like projections, which play a role in grinding food. The midgut has 2 anatomical regions probably involved in digestion and absorption of nutrients. The epithelial cells of the anterior midgut have bubbles of apocrine secretion, while the posterior midgut cells have a striated border. Gastric caecae-like projections are found in the posterior midgut. They are enlarged close to the midgut wall, and follow a thin and long filament, which is free in the body cavity. The epithelial cells lining the gastric caecae-like projections are cuboidal with well development striated borders, suggesting involvement in nutrient absorption. The hindgut is divided in an ileum and a rectum. The ileum epithelial cells are covered by cuticle and have cytological traits characteristic of electrolyte and water absorption. The rectum epithelial cells have no obvious absorptive features, but the rectal pads may be involved in water and electrolyte reabsorption. This work reinforces the concept that the anatomy of gut is related to the diet and body shape, and shows that the general pattern of compartmentalization of digestion in insects was maintained in Phasmatodea, but that it differs from other Orthopteroidea in some aspects.

Wild populations of Comadia redtenbacheri Hammerschmidt (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), known in its larval stage as the agave redworm, are gathered intensively for sale and consumption as food. To define adequate conditions for their pupation in confinement, the effect of handling larvae during collection, their weight when induced to pupate, substrate type and the moisture content provided during this stage of development, were evaluated over 2 consecutive yr. These factors were analyzed by logistic regression (PROC GENMOD, α = 0.05), relative to the emergence of adults. The relationship between larval weight and adult sexual gender was analyzed with a contingency table. The larvae exhibited adaptation to different substrates used for pupation, and substrates could be reused. The heavy clay content soil from areas where agaves grow, mixed with vermiculite (50:50), was the most suitable substrate (estimated value 0.7304). Moisture had no significant effect on pupation. Emergence of adults was significantly greater from larvae that had not been handled roughly as those acquired from commercial venders. According to the Chi-square test, the capacity to pupate by fifth instar larvae that weighed 0.30 to 0.39 g was not significantly different from that of the sixth and seventh instars that weighed 0.40 g or more. Males emerged mainly from cocoons produced by the smallest larvae, while females emerged mainly from cocoons by heavier larvae.

Here we describe the immature stages and seed-carrying and feeding behaviors of Melanaethus crenatus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae: Cydninae: Geotomini), based on 4 sampling dates from 2009 through 2011. Adult females of this species move seeds of its host plant, Richardia scabra L. (Rubiales: Rubiaceae), to small cavities under small rocks for feeding; these cavities in some cases correspond to oviposition sites where nymphs also feed on the seeds. All instars of Melanaethus crenatus are described and illustrated for the first time. This species is associated with dry oak forest and lives under rocks. This record probably represents an intermediate behavior between nonparental and parental care.

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is an exotic wood-boring pest that vectors Raffaelea lauricola T.C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva (Ophiostomatales: Ophiostomataceae), the etiologic agent of laurel wilt. To date, all confirmed U.S. hosts of X. glabratus and suscepts of laurel wilt are members of the family Lauraceae. However, in previous research, an unknown variety of lychee, Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae), was found to be highly attractive to X. glabratus and elicited boring behaviors. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate two commercial cultivars of lychee, ‘Brewster’ and ‘Mauritius’, for susceptibility to attack by X. glabratus, for transmission of R. lauricola, and for development of laurel wilt disease. In no-choice laboratory bioassays, 35 and 44% of females bored into cut bolts of ‘Mauritius’ and ‘Brewster’, respectively. Similar boring was observed on the trunks of two live ‘Brewster’ trees; but after 3 mo, there was no evidence of beetle reproduction, no symptoms of laurel wilt, and no recovery of R. lauricola from tissue associated with beetle galleries. Lychee trees artificially inoculated with an isolate of R. lauricola (RL4) that kills lauraceous hosts of this pathogen were asymptomatic after 1 mo, and assays for R. lauricola were negative. Chemical analysis indicated that lychee emits several sesquiterpene constituents in common with the Lauraceae, but at lower levels. Based on these data, we conclude that L. chinensis, although attractive to female X. glabratus, is not a likely reproductive host. This may be due to the inability of lychee wood to support growth of R. lauricola, the presumed primary nutritional symbiont of X. glabratus.