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Parapheromones for Thynnine Wasps.

Björn Bohman1,2,3, Amir Karton4, Ruby C M Dixon5

  • 1Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia. bjorn.bohman@anu.edu.au.

Journal of Chemical Ecology
|December 16, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Orchids use wasp sex pheromones to attract pollinators. This study explored if modified pheromone structures still attract male wasps, finding some structural changes maintain sexual attraction, suggesting evolutionary flexibility in floral deception.

Keywords:
DrakaeaParapheromonePyrazineSexual deceptionSpecificity

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Area of Science:

  • Chemical Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Entomology

Background:

  • Sexually deceptive orchids mimic female insect sex pheromones to attract male pollinators.
  • This specific interaction is crucial for pollination and relies on precise chemical cues.
  • The chemical composition of floral volatiles often matches components of insect sex pheromones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for flexibility in molecular structure of chemical cues mediating plant-pollinator interactions.
  • To determine if structural modifications of sex pheromone components can maintain strong sexual attraction.
  • To assess the role of specific molecular structures in the sexual deception of Zaspilothynnus trilobatus wasps by Drakaea glyptodon orchids.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesized and tested blends of orchid volatiles and synthetic wasp sex pheromone analogs (parapheromones).
  • Focused on Drakaea glyptodon orchid and its pollinator, Zaspilothynnus trilobatus wasp.
  • Utilized behavioral assays to record male wasp responses (approaches, landings, copulation attempts) to different chemical blends.
  • Performed high-level computational calculations (G4(MP2)) to analyze energy differences between structural isomers.

Main Results:

  • All tested parapheromone blends elicited approaches from male wasps.
  • Some modified blends resulted in landings and attempted copulations, indicating significant sexual attraction.
  • A specific parapheromone, 2-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethyl-6-ethylpyrazine, showed attraction levels comparable to the natural sex pheromone.
  • Computational analysis revealed small energy differences between isomers, yet varying degrees of attraction, highlighting structural importance.

Conclusions:

  • Structural modifications of sex pheromone components can maintain sexual attraction in this orchid-pollinator system.
  • Chemical flexibility exists in the molecular structures used for sexual deception.
  • Findings suggest potential pathways for the evolution of sexual deception through chemical mimicry.