Characterization of Rice Accessions using Info-chemical and Visual Cues Emitted to Biologically Control Diopsis apicalis Dalman

Abstract This study assessed the host plant selection behavior of female stalk-eyed flies (SEF) or Diopsis apicalis, where a Y-tube olfactometer was used to compare the attractiveness of SEF to the odor of leaves from four rice varieties (ITA306, WAB56-104, CG14, and RAM55). Another step of the evaluation consisted of pairing leaf odors from two rice varieties. Also, potted plants of the tested varieties were displayed in a screened cage and submitted to SEF female selection. Results showed that the odor produced by leaves from rice varieties CG14, WAB56-104, and ITA306 significantly attracted SEF with 81%, 70%, and 97%, respectively, while SEF females were rarely attracted by the odor of leaves from the resistant rice variety RAM55 with 35%. Results suggested that the use of a Y-tube olfactometer was similar to that obtained in the case of a screened cage. Resistance exhibited by rice variety CG14 against SEF is related to an antibiosis mechanism, while that in RAM55 is an antixenosis one. The authors recommend CG14 and RAM55 as candidates for breeding to create resistant lines against SEF.