The use of Erianthus arundinaceus as a trap plant in association with sugarcane reduces populations of the spotted sugarcane stalk borer Chilo sacchariphagus (Bojer) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). This grass acts as a dead-end trap crop because it is the preferred plant for oviposition relative to sugarcane, and it precludes larval development. We explored the chemical mechanisms involved in host choice by C. sacchariphagus. We showed that the insect’s antennal receptors are particularly sensitive to the shared compounds found in the volatile emissions produced by sugarcane and E. arundinaceus. In accordance with their phylogenetic proximity, the two plant species share many physicochemical properties, which suggests that C. sacchariphagus has few sensory cues to differentiate between the two. The terpene (E)-β-ocimene is constitutively emitted by E. arundinaceus, but not by sugarcane. It elicits an electroantennographic response and behavioral responses from female C. sacchariphagus in Y-tube bioassays. Our study suggests that the sensory confusion between host plants, combined with a marginal sensory difference orienting the choice of an egg-laying site, constitutes a mechanism that is relevant to trap cropping. Systems based on this type of mechanism could provide long-term protection for crops vulnerable to insect pests.

将Erianthus arundinaceus用作与甘蔗结合的诱捕植物可减少斑点的甘蔗茎bore虫Chilo sacchariphagus（Bojer）（鳞翅目：Crambidae）的种群。这种草可作为死胡同，因为它是相对于甘蔗产卵的首选植物，并且可以防止幼虫发育。我们探讨了糖梭菌选择宿主的化学机制。我们表明，昆虫的触角感受器对甘蔗和金缕梅产生的挥发性排放物中发现的共有化合物特别敏感。根据它们的系统发育接近性，这两种植物具有许多理化特性，这表明糖衣梭菌几乎没有感觉信号来区分两者。萜烯（E）-β-烯丙烯是由A. arundinaceus组成性释放的，而不是由甘蔗组成的。它引起从女性的electroantennographic响应和行为反应C. sacchariphagus在Y形管的生物测定。我们的研究表明，寄主植物之间的感官混乱，再加上边缘的感官差异，决定了产卵部位的选择，构成了与诱集作物有关的机制。基于这种机制的系统可以为易受害虫侵害的农作物提供长期保护。