Publications by authors named "Celina L Braccini"

After an insect herbivore has reached its host plant, contact cues from the leaf surface often determine host acceptance. We studied contact cues during oviposition behavior of a willow pest, the sawfly Nematus oligospilus (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), a specialist feeder on Salix (Salicaceae) trees, and how it determines oviposition preference in lab and field conditions. We described the sequence of behaviors that lead to egg laying on the most and least preferred willow species.

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Plant volatile organic compounds play a role in selection of host plants by herbivorous insects. Once the insect reaches the plant, contact cues determine host acceptance. Although the willow sawfly Nematus oligospilus (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) can differentiate among willow genotypes, no knowledge is available on the cues used by this insect to seek and accept the host plant.

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