Habituation to intraspecific mating inhibition signals in the tea leafhopper, Empoasca onukii

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Pest control mediated by substrate-borne vibrational signals has been successfully used to control the grapevine leafhopper. Maintaining the signal intensity above the effective threshold and avoiding habituation to the stimulus are crucial for this control strategy to be effective. The tea leafhopper, Empoasca onukii, is a major pest of tea plants that relies on substrate-borne vibrational signals for mating communication. Male rivals can emit specific competitive signals (MDSs) to inhibit the calling activity of a courting male.

RESULTS

The effective intensity threshold of E. onukii MDSs was 20 μm/s; when this threshold was exceeded, MDSs completely inhibited the calling activity of males. Repeated playback of MDSs in the closed-loop or open-loop mode triggered the habituation of E. onukii males to the stimulus. Insertion of a male calling signal (MCaS) during the stimulus resulted in male dishabituation, but insertion of the female signal did not.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the closed-loop mode, the open-loop mode is more suitable for the development of mating inhibition technology for E. onukii. Combined with the MCaS's dishabituation function, a mating inhibition signal synthesized with repeated MDSs has the potential for long-term inhibition of E. onukii mating behavior. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.