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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Neonate silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae are attracted to mulberry (Morus alba) leaves with conspecific feeding damage
Author(s):		Mooney AC; Robertson HM; Wanner KW;
Address:		"Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 505 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2009
Volume:		20090509
Issue:		5
Page Number:		552 - 559
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-009-9639-z
ISSN/ISBN:		1573-1561 (Electronic) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The silkworm Bombyx mori is a molecular genetic model for the Lepidoptera. Its odorant receptor genes have been described, and preliminary studies suggest that several are expressed specifically in the larval caterpillar stage. This study was undertaken to identify olfactory behaviors specific to the larvae. A two-choice leaf disk bioassay with naive neonate larvae was used to evaluate the attractiveness of three types of mulberry leaf (Morus alba): newly flushed leaves from branch tips, mature leaves, and mature leaves with feeding damage caused by conspecific larvae. Mature leaves with feeding damage were the most attractive, newly flushed leaves were moderately favored, and undamaged mature leaves were the least attractive. Volatile odors collected from whole mulberry leaves by using solid-phase microextraction fibers were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The volatile profile of newly flushed leaves and mature leaves damaged by conspecific larvae was more complex compared to undamaged mature leaves. By comparing the volatile makeup of each leaf type, a list of 22 candidate odors responsible for attracting the neonate larvae was generated; alpha-farnesene was particularly notable as a herbivore-induced volatile. These odors will be used in future in vitro studies to determine whether they activate larval-specific odorant receptors"
Keywords:		"Animals Animals, Newborn Bombyx/*drug effects Feeding Behavior Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Larva/drug effects Morus/*chemistry Plant Leaves/*chemistry Receptors, Odorant/metabolism Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification/pharmacology Solid Phase;"
Notes:		"MedlineMooney, Allison C Robertson, Hugh M Wanner, Kevin W eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2009/05/12 J Chem Ecol. 2009 May; 35(5):552-9. doi: 10.1007/s10886-009-9639-z. Epub 2009 May 9"