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14 pages, 1613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Not Led by the Nose: Volatiles from Undamaged Eucalyptus Hosts Do Not Influence Psyllid Orientation

by Kevin Farnier, Noel W. Davies and Martin J. Steinbauer

Insects 2018, 9(4), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040166 - 17 Nov 2018

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4685

Abstract

Psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) are small sucking insects with high host plant specificity. Despite the primitive olfactory system of psyllids, some species have been suggested to rely on host plant volatiles (HPVs) for seasonal migration between summer deciduous hosts and winter coniferous hosts. Similarly, [...] Read more.

Psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) are small sucking insects with high host plant specificity. Despite the primitive olfactory system of psyllids, some species have been suggested to rely on host plant volatiles (HPVs) for seasonal migration between summer deciduous hosts and winter coniferous hosts. Similarly, enhanced attraction of psyllid vectors has been observed as a result of the manipulation of host odors by plant pathogens. As yet, there are no studies of olfaction in psyllids that utilize evergreen eucalypt hosts. We investigated the behavioral responses of adults of four Eucalyptus-feeding psyllids—Ctenarytaina eucalypti, C. bipartita, Anoeconeossa bundoorensis and Glycaspis brimblecombei—to their respective HPVs in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. We also used existing physiological data for C. eucalypti to investigate potential olfactory tuning that may modulate the preference for morphologically juvenile leaves over morphologically adult leaves. Although adult C. eucalypti were consistently repelled by HPVs from damaged host leaves, none of the species exhibited positive chemotaxis to HPVs from undamaged leaves. Surprisingly, G. brimblecombei was repelled by HPVs from undamaged host leaves. Our findings provide little support for a significant role of olfaction in host location by Eucalyptus-feeding psyllids. We propose a number of ecological hypotheses to explain these unexpected findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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14 pages, 1735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Volatile Constituents from Food Lures by Tephritid Fruit Flies

by Tibebe Dejene Biasazin, Haimanot Teklemariam Chernet, Sebastian Larsson Herrera, Marie Bengtsson, Miriam Frida Karlsson, Joelle Kristin Lemmen-Lechelt and Teun Dekker

Insects 2018, 9(3), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030119 - 14 Sep 2018

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6699

Abstract

Tephritid fruit flies require protein for sexual and gonotrophic development. Food-based lures are therefore widely used in strategies to detect and control fruit flies in the Tephritidae family. However, these baits are attractive to a broad range of insect species. We therefore sought [...] Read more.

Tephritid fruit flies require protein for sexual and gonotrophic development. Food-based lures are therefore widely used in strategies to detect and control fruit flies in the Tephritidae family. However, these baits are attractive to a broad range of insect species. We therefore sought to identify volatiles detected by the fly antennae, with the goal to compose lures that more specifically target tephritids. Using gas chromatography-coupled electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) we screened for antennal responses of four important tephritid species to volatile compounds from five commercially available protein-based baits. Antennal active compounds were reconstituted in synthetic blends for each species and used in behavioral assays. These species-based blends were attractive in olfactometer experiments, as was a blend composed of all antennally active compounds from all the four species we observed (tested only in Bactrocera dorsalis, Hendel). Pilot field tests indicate that the blends need to be further evaluated and optimized under field conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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8 pages, 1664 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Rolling of Food by Dung Beetles Affects the Oviposition of Competing Flies

by Manuel A. Ix-Balam, Maria G. A. Oliveira, Júlio Louzada, Jeremy N. McNeil and Eraldo Lima

Insects 2018, 9(3), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030092 - 31 Jul 2018

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 8502

Abstract

Flies are the main competitors of dung beetles for oviposition sites and rolling dung beetles relocate their food to reduce interspecific competition. Furthermore, dung beetles deposit chemical substances on the food ball that may repel fly larvae and certain predators. In the present [...] Read more.

Flies are the main competitors of dung beetles for oviposition sites and rolling dung beetles relocate their food to reduce interspecific competition. Furthermore, dung beetles deposit chemical substances on the food ball that may repel fly larvae and certain predators. In the present study, using Deltochilum furcatum, a dung beetle that does not exhibit parental care and the blow-fly, Lucilia cuprina, we tested the hypothesis that pygidial secretions deposited on the food ball could also make it less attractive as an oviposition site for flies. Food balls rolled by either D. furcatum males or females received significantly fewer eggs that balls that had not been rolled by beetles. Also, flies laid significantly fewer eggs on food balls treated with secretions collected from male pygidial glands. Reduced fly oviposition may be a direct effect of compounds the beetles deposited, acting as an allomone, and/or an indirect negative effect on the microbial community that stimulates fly oviposition. A model of the reproductive biology of this species is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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12 pages, 1801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Behavioral Response of Leptoglossus zonatus (Heteroptera: Coreidae) to Stimuli Based on Colors and its Aggregation Pheromone

by Sandra Lisbeth Franco-Archundia, Agustín Jesús Gonzaga-Segura, Alfredo Jiménez-Pérez and Víctor Rogelio Castrejón-Gómez

Insects 2018, 9(3), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030091 - 26 Jul 2018

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3548

Abstract

The leaf-footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) is an important pest in the Americas. However, no preference of colors, sexual behavior nor aggregation pheromone has been reported, which can be used for detection, monitoring, and control purposes. In the laboratory we tested [...] Read more.

The leaf-footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) is an important pest in the Americas. However, no preference of colors, sexual behavior nor aggregation pheromone has been reported, which can be used for detection, monitoring, and control purposes. In the laboratory we tested the attractiveness of white, violet, blue, green, yellow, and orange color to nymphs and adults (mated and unmated) and found that most adults and nymphs were attracted to and remained longer on blue and green colored cards than the other colors tested. We found that couples may remain in copula ≈185 min and mate ≈20 times in a 60 d period with a similar number of matings during the scotophase and the photophase. Sexual behavior consists of six patterns: grooming, abdomen movement, antenna movement, antennation, mounting, and mating. In a Y-tube olfactometer, 80 and 62.5% of the adults tested were attracted to a hexane-extract of the volatiles released by 40 males and 40 females, respectively. This is the first report of the biological evidence of an aggregation pheromone in this bug. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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14 pages, 1457 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization of Quercetin as an Oviposition Stimulant by Lab-Cultured Coleomegilla maculata in the Presence of Conspecifics and a Tissue Substrate

by Eric W. Riddick, Zhixin Wu, Fred J. Eller and Mark A. Berhow

Insects 2018, 9(3), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030077 - 29 Jun 2018

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3602

Abstract

Background: The discovery of natural products to improve the reproductive performance of mass-reared predators is an important aim for successful augmentative biological control. We tested the hypothesis that quercetin (a bioflavonoid) stimulates oviposition by the ladybird beetle Coleomegillamaculata in the presence of [...] Read more.

Background: The discovery of natural products to improve the reproductive performance of mass-reared predators is an important aim for successful augmentative biological control. We tested the hypothesis that quercetin (a bioflavonoid) stimulates oviposition by the ladybird beetle Coleomegillamaculata in the presence of conspecifics and a tissue substrate. Methods: We conducted bioassays in solitary cages (housing one female) and communal cages (housing 10 females) to estimate daily oviposition site preferences, egg production in response to quercetin in the presence or absence of a tissue paper substrate, and female “resting” positions. Results: Females preferentially oviposited within 1–2 cm of quercetin powder, held in a tiny dish, at the base of cages. When given a choice, females oviposited in the dish with quercetin over a tissue paper substrate. In one of two experiments, they produced more egg clutches, regardless of oviposition site, when the quercetin and tissue were in close juxtaposition. Females “rested” on the tissue in the presence or absence of quercetin. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that quercetin can be utilized as an oviposition stimulant by C. maculata in a rearing system. Future research should determine if quercetin stimulates oviposition in other ladybird beetle species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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7 pages, 588 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Field Trapping Bactrocera latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae) with Select Eugenol Analogs That Have Been Found to Attract Other ‘Non-Responsive’ Fruit Fly Species

by Grant T. McQuate, Jane E. Royer and Charmaine D. Sylva

Insects 2018, 9(2), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9020050 - 1 May 2018

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5918

Abstract

Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a pest fruit fly species native to Oriental Asia which has invaded and established in Hawaii and Tanzania and has been recovered in detection trapping in California. It is largely non-responsive to the male lures cuelure and [...] Read more.

Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a pest fruit fly species native to Oriental Asia which has invaded and established in Hawaii and Tanzania and has been recovered in detection trapping in California. It is largely non-responsive to the male lures cuelure and methyl eugenol. Alpha-ionol + cade oil is a moderately effective male B. latifrons attractant, but is not as attractive as cuelure or methyl eugenol are to other fruit fly species. An improved attractant is therefore desired. With the recent success in finding other non-responsive fruit fly species attracted to isoeugenol, methyl-isoeugenol, or dihydroeugenol in Australia and other countries, we wanted to assess whether B. latifrons might also respond to these “eugenol analogs.” Working with wild B. latifrons populations in Hawaii, we assessed the relative catch of B. latifrons in traps baited with the eugenol analogs with catch in traps baited with alpha-ionol, alpha-ionol + cade oil, or alpha-ionol + eugenol. Catch was significantly higher in traps baited with alpha-ionol + cade oil relative to traps with any of the other baits. There was, though, some male B. latifrons catch in traps baited with dihydroeugenol or isoeugenol but none in traps baited with methyl-isoeugenol. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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9 pages, 2783 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Elevated CO₂ Concentrations Impact the Semiochemistry of Aphid Honeydew without Having a Cascade Effect on an Aphid Predator

by Antoine Boullis, Solène Blanchard, Frédéric Francis and François Verheggen

Insects 2018, 9(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9020047 - 20 Apr 2018

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4577

Abstract

Honeydew is considered a cornerstone of the interactions between aphids and their natural enemies. Bacteria activity occurring in aphid honeydew typically results in the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are used by the natural enemies of aphids to locate their prey. [...] Read more.

Honeydew is considered a cornerstone of the interactions between aphids and their natural enemies. Bacteria activity occurring in aphid honeydew typically results in the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are used by the natural enemies of aphids to locate their prey. Because atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration directly impacts the physiology of plants, we raise the hypothesis that elevated CO₂ concentrations impact the quantity of honeydew produced by aphids, as well as the diversity and quantity of honeydew VOCs, leading to cascade effects on the foraging behavior of aphids’ natural enemies. Using solid-phase microextraction, we analyzed the VOCs emitted by honeydew from pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) reared under 450 ± 50 ppm of CO₂ (aCO₂) or 800 ± 50 ppm CO₂ (eCO₂). While the total amount of honeydew excreted was only slightly reduced by eCO₂ concentrations, we detected qualitative and quantitative differences in the semiochemistry of aphid honeydew between CO₂ conditions. Three VOCs were not found in the honeydew of eCO₂ aphids: 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and isobutanol. However, no difference was observed in the searching and oviposition behaviors of hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer)) females exposed to plants covered with honeydew originating from the different CO₂ conditions. The present work showed the effect of a particular aspect of atmospheric changes, and should be extended to other abiotic parameters, such as temperature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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39 pages, 3871 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cyanogenesis in Arthropods: From Chemical Warfare to Nuptial Gifts

by Mika Zagrobelny, Érika Cristina Pinheiro De Castro, Birger Lindberg Møller and Søren Bak

Insects 2018, 9(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9020051 - 3 May 2018

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 9896

Abstract

Chemical defences are key components in insect–plant interactions, as insects continuously learn to overcome plant defence systems by, e.g., detoxification, excretion or sequestration. Cyanogenic glucosides are natural products widespread in the plant kingdom, and also known to be present in arthropods. They are [...] Read more.

Chemical defences are key components in insect–plant interactions, as insects continuously learn to overcome plant defence systems by, e.g., detoxification, excretion or sequestration. Cyanogenic glucosides are natural products widespread in the plant kingdom, and also known to be present in arthropods. They are stabilised by a glucoside linkage, which is hydrolysed by the action of β-glucosidase enzymes, resulting in the release of toxic hydrogen cyanide and deterrent aldehydes or ketones. Such a binary system of components that are chemically inert when spatially separated provides an immediate defence against predators that cause tissue damage. Further roles in nitrogen metabolism and inter- and intraspecific communication has also been suggested for cyanogenic glucosides. In arthropods, cyanogenic glucosides are found in millipedes, centipedes, mites, beetles and bugs, and particularly within butterflies and moths. Cyanogenic glucosides may be even more widespread since many arthropod taxa have not yet been analysed for the presence of this class of natural products. In many instances, arthropods sequester cyanogenic glucosides or their precursors from food plants, thereby avoiding the demand for de novo biosynthesis and minimising the energy spent for defence. Nevertheless, several species of butterflies, moths and millipedes have been shown to biosynthesise cyanogenic glucosides de novo, and even more species have been hypothesised to do so. As for higher plant species, the specific steps in the pathway is catalysed by three enzymes, two cytochromes P450, a glycosyl transferase, and a general P450 oxidoreductase providing electrons to the P450s. The pathway for biosynthesis of cyanogenic glucosides in arthropods has most likely been assembled by recruitment of enzymes, which could most easily be adapted to acquire the required catalytic properties for manufacturing these compounds. The scattered phylogenetic distribution of cyanogenic glucosides in arthropods indicates that the ability to biosynthesise this class of natural products has evolved independently several times. This is corroborated by the characterised enzymes from the pathway in moths and millipedes. Since the biosynthetic pathway is hypothesised to have evolved convergently in plants as well, this would suggest that there is only one universal series of unique intermediates by which amino acids are efficiently converted into CNglcs in different Kingdoms of Life. For arthropods to handle ingestion of cyanogenic glucosides, an effective detoxification system is required. In butterflies and moths, hydrogen cyanide released from hydrolysis of cyanogenic glucosides is mainly detoxified by β-cyanoalanine synthase, while other arthropods use the enzyme rhodanese. The storage of cyanogenic glucosides and spatially separated hydrolytic enzymes (β-glucosidases and α-hydroxynitrile lyases) are important for an effective hydrogen cyanide release for defensive purposes. Accordingly, such hydrolytic enzymes are also present in many cyanogenic arthropods, and spatial separation has been shown in a few species. Although much knowledge regarding presence, biosynthesis, hydrolysis and detoxification of cyanogenic glucosides in arthropods has emerged in recent years, many exciting unanswered questions remain regarding the distribution, roles apart from defence, and convergent evolution of the metabolic pathways involved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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Other

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6 pages, 928 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Repellent Effect of Volatile Fatty Acids on Lesser Mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus)

by Bartosz Baran, Michał Krzyżowski, Mikołaj Cup, Jakub Janiec, Mateusz Grabowski and Jacek Francikowski

Insects 2018, 9(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9010035 - 16 Mar 2018

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5167

Abstract

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are a group of common metabolites and semiochemicals mediating information transfer between higher organisms and bacteria, either from microbiome or external environment. VFAs commonly occur among various insect orders. There are numerous studies exploring their influence on the behavior [...] Read more.

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are a group of common metabolites and semiochemicals mediating information transfer between higher organisms and bacteria, either from microbiome or external environment. VFAs commonly occur among various insect orders. There are numerous studies exploring their influence on the behavior of different insect species. In relation to the papers published by J. E. McFarlane in 1985, we assessed the effects of formic, acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids on the spatial preference of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), a common pest of stored food grain products and the poultry industry. The main aim of the presented study was to provide new angles in VFA research, recreating the classical study both with new methods and on economically significant pest species. This paper presents a novel method of continuous, simultaneous assessment of site preference and the travelled distance in a constant-flow olfactometer. All the tested VFAs, except valeric acid, had a significant repellent effect, with formic acid being effective even at the lowest used concentration. Additionally, the VFAs significantly altered the distance travelled by the insects. The obtained results indicate a potential role for VFAs in the olfactory guided behavior of A. diaperinus. It is suspected that the reaction to the presence of VFAs may deviate from the specificity of species’ original habitat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology)

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