Abstract:
In order to obtain more reliable electroantennogram (
EAG) of
Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), the
EAG measurement method was optimized and the
EAG response of
T.
castaneum to 14 wheat flour volatiles was tested. The results showed that the optimized method obtained stable and reliable
EAG data. All the 14 wheat flour volatiles stimulated
EAG responses of
T.
castaneum, and the
EAG responses of males and females to these compounds were similar. The
EAG response to aldehyde from wheat flour volatiles was the highest, while the
EAG response to hydrocarbon wheat flour volatiles was at a low level. The highest
EAG of male and female was initiated by the same four compounds: valeraldehyde, nonanal, 2-octenaldehyde, and 2-pentylfuran. The
EAG response values of males and females to tetradecane and 2-octenaldehyde were significantly different. The results solve the difficulty in connecting antennae to electrode during testing the
EAG response of
T.
castaneum, and provide basic data to reveal the characteristics of the
EAG response of
T.
castaneum.