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Do Fruit Ripening Volatiles Enable Resource Specialism in Polyphagous Fruit Flies?
John Paul Cunningham1,2, Mikael A Carlsson3, Tommaso F Villa4
1Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources, Biosciences Research, AgriBio Centre, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia. paul.cunningham@ecodev.vic.gov.au.
Journal of Chemical Ecology
|September 3, 2016
Summary
Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni) are attracted to specific ripening guava volatiles. A blend of three esters, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, and ethyl propionate, is key for host attraction, improving pest management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Chemical Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Frugivorous tephritid fruit flies exhibit host generalism, using olfaction to locate diverse fruit hosts.
- Understanding the olfactory cues and host recognition mechanisms in polyphagous insects like the Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of fruit ripening volatiles as host cues for Bactrocera tryoni.
- To identify specific volatile compounds responsible for attracting this polyphagous pest.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral experiments using different ripening stages of guava (Psidium guajava) and synthetic volatile blends.
- Gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) to identify electrophysiologically active compounds.
- Olfactometer assays to test the attractiveness of individual volatiles and blends.
Main Results:
- Mature guava odor was most attractive to Bactrocera tryoni.
- Three esters (ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl propionate) were identified as key attractive volatiles.
- A blend of these three esters was necessary and sufficient for attraction, mimicking the attractiveness of the natural guava odor.
Conclusions:
- Bactrocera tryoni, despite being a generalist, may specialize in specific ripening stages based on predictable odor cues.
- These findings enhance understanding of host selection in polyphagous insects and inform the development of targeted attractants for pest management.
