« Previous AbstractPest management programmes in vineyards using male mating disruption    Next AbstractThermal behaviour and biological activity against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) of permethrin and pyriproxyfen in a smoke-generating formulation »

J Parasitol

Title:		Pheromone Communication in Feather-Feeding Wing Lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera)
Author(s):		Harbison CW; Breen MK; Hutchins CEC; Roberto DP;
Address:		"Biology Department, Siena College, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, New York 12211"
Journal Title:		J Parasitol
Year:		2023
Volume:		109
Issue:		4
Page Number:		333 - 339
DOI:		10.1645/23-29
ISSN/ISBN:		1937-2345 (Electronic) 0022-3395 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Pheromone communication is central to the life history of insect parasites. Determining how pheromones affect parasite behavior can provide insights into host-parasite interactions and suggest novel avenues for parasite control. Lice infest thousands of bird and mammal species and feed on the host's feathers or blood. Despite the pervasiveness of lice in wild populations and the costs they exact on livestock and poultry industries, little is known about pheromone communication in this diverse group. Here, we test for pheromone communication in the wing lice (Columbicola columbae) of Rock Doves (Columba livia). Wing lice spend the majority of their lives on bird flight feathers where they hide from host preening by inserting their bodies between coarse feather barbs. To feed, wing lice must migrate to bird body regions where they consume the insulating barbs of contour feathers. We first show that wing lice readily form aggregations on flight feathers. Next, using a Y-tube olfactometer, we demonstrate that wing lice use pheromone communication to move toward groups of nearby conspecifics. This pheromone is likely an aggregation pheromone, as wing lice only produce the pheromone when placed on flight feathers. Finally, we found that when forced to choose between groups of male and female lice, male lice move toward male groups and females toward female groups, suggesting the use of multiple pheromones. Ongoing work aims to determine the chemical identity and function of these pheromones"
Keywords:		Animals Male Female *Phthiraptera *Lice Infestations/veterinary/parasitology Columbidae/parasitology *Bird Diseases/parasitology *Ischnocera *Anoplura *Parasites Host-Parasite Interactions Communication Mammals Columbicola columbae Aggregation behavior Ch;
Notes:		"MedlineHarbison, Christopher W Breen, Melissa K Hutchins, Charlotte E C Roberto, Domenic P eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2023/08/01 J Parasitol. 2023 Jul 1; 109(4):333-339. doi: 10.1645/23-29"