| Title: | Morpho-functional identification of abdominal olfactory receptors in the midge Culicoides imicola |
| Author(s): | Sollai G; Solari P; Loy F; Masala C; Crnjar R; Liscia A; |
| Address: | "Section of General Physiology, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SS 554 Km 4.5, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy" |
| Journal Title: | J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00359-010-0561-1 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1432-1351 (Electronic) 0340-7594 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The aim of the present study was to examine the presence and the possible role of abdominal olfactory sensilla in Culicoides imicola mediating the search for potential hosts and oviposition sites, by means of a morphological, electrophysiological and behavioural approach. The results reported here show that in the midge C. imicola the whole abdomen, comprising the ovipositor, are endowed with three morphotypes of multiporous sensilla that display olfactory sensitivity towards kairomones related to the host-animal skin such as L: -(+)-lactic acid and 1-octen-3-ol, to the host-animal urine such as 3-ethylphenol and 4-propylphenol, and to the potent attractant sesame seed oil. Electrophysiological and behavioural data for the first time suggest in the midge the involvement of abdominal olfactory structures in the choice of the oviposition sites and allow in discussing their possible role in the host-animal localisation. Field experiments showed that light traps baited with the aforementioned compounds elicited a stronger degree of attractiveness on midges with respect to the unbaited traps (control), although to a different extent. Our results, while implying a number of considerations concerning the role of molecules tested as kairomones, also suggest their use in the control of the midge C. imicola population" |
| Keywords: | "Abdomen/anatomy & histology Animals Behavior, Animal/drug effects/*physiology Ceratopogonidae/*anatomy & histology/drug effects/*physiology Electrophysiological Phenomena/physiology Female Olfactory Receptor Neurons/anatomy & histology/physiology Oviposit;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineSollai, Giorgia Solari, Paolo Loy, Francesco Masala, Carla Crnjar, Roberto Liscia, Anna eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Germany 2010/07/27 J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol. 2010 Nov; 196(11):817-24. doi: 10.1007/s00359-010-0561-1. Epub 2010 Jul 25" |
