Many plant bugs (Miridae) are generalist herbivores that feed on multiple host species. The reasons these bugs move across hosts and the behavioural mechanisms responsible for their retention at specific hosts remain elusive. Green mirids (Creontiades dilutus) are endemic to Australia. These insects are important pests of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and even in low numbers can cause substantial damage to crops. These bugs are also present in relatively much higher numbers on pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) planted alongside cotton fields, and evidence shows they move across these crops in both directions. Observations of these highly mobile insects in the field are challenging, but indirect evidence suggests that they may be nocturnal. This study evaluated: (1) the diel (24 h) period in which C. dilutus adults were most active, (2) whether they respond to plant volatiles immediately prior to landing on host substrates, and (3) if their presence on a host is in response to attraction or arrestment cues. The results suggest that C. dilutus bugs are typically most active early in the evenings, after remaining motionless during the day (unless disturbed). Their movement (at night) was arrested by hosts prior to touching plant tissues. There was no evidence to suggest that these bugs are attracted by volatiles beyond 2 cm. These outcomes demonstrate that insect behaviours need to be investigated within their typical activity periods, and that arrestment cues possibly play a central role in the host finding process of generalist C. dilutus and probably, therefore, other mirid species.

中文翻译：

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绿色 mirids (Creontiades dilutus) 宿主协会的 Diel 活动模式和逮捕行为

许多植物虫（Miridae）是多面手的食草动物，以多种宿主物种为食。这些错误在主机之间移动的原因以及导致它们保留在特定主机上的行为机制仍然难以捉摸。绿色风筝 (稀松鼠尾草) 是澳大利亚特有的。这些昆虫是棉花的重要害虫（陆地棉)，即使数量很少，也会对农作物造成重大损害。这些虫子在木豆上的数量也相对较高（卡亚努斯卡扬) 种植在棉田旁边，有证据表明它们在两个方向上穿过这些作物。在野外观察这些高度移动的昆虫具有挑战性，但间接证据表明它们可能是夜间活动的。本研究评估：(1) 昼夜 (24 h) 期间，C. dilutus成年人最活跃，（2）他们是否在登陆宿主基质之前立即对植物挥发物做出反应，以及（3）他们在宿主身上的存在是否是对吸引或逮捕线索的反应。结果表明C. dilutus虫子通常在傍晚最活跃，白天保持不动（除非受到干扰）。他们的运动（在晚上）在接触植物组织之前被宿主阻止。没有证据表明这些虫子会被 2 厘米以上的挥发物吸引。这些结果表明，昆虫行为需要在其典型的活动期内进行调查，并且逮捕线索可能在通才的宿主寻找过程中发挥核心作用C. dilutus因此，可能还有其他 mirid 物种。