| Title: | Electrophysiological and Behavioral Responses of Virgin Female Bactrocera tryoni to Microbial Volatiles from Enterobacteriaceae |
| Author(s): | Tallon AK; Manning LA; Mas F; |
| Address: | "Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Mississippi State, Starkville, MS 39762, USA. The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd., Canterbury Agriculture & Science Centre, 74 Gerald St, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand" |
| DOI: | 10.3390/microorganisms11071643 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2076-2607 (Print) 2076-2607 (Electronic) 2076-2607 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) is a major polyphagous pest widespread in Australia and several Pacific Islands. Bacteria present on the host plant phyllosphere supply proteins, essential for egg development and female sexual maturity. We investigated the role of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) emitted by Enterobacteriaceae commonly found on the host plant and in the fly gut in attracting virgin females. Bacteria were cultured on artificial media and natural fruits, at various pH, and MVOCs were collected using different headspace volatile absorbent materials. The olfactory responses of virgin females to bacterial MVOCs were assessed via electrophysiology and behavioral assays. The production of MVOCs was strongly influenced qualitatively by the bacterial strain and the type of media, and it semi-quantitatively varied with pH and time. MVOCs emitted by Klebsiella oxytoca invoked the strongest antennal response and were the most attractive. Among the identified compounds triggering an olfactory response, D-limonene and 2-nonanone were both significantly behaviorally attractive, whereas phenol, nonanal, isoamyl alcohol, and some pyrazines appeared to be repulsive. This study deepens our understanding of the chemical ecology between fruit flies and their bacterial symbionts and paves the way for novel synthetic lures based on specifically MVOCs targeting virgin females" |
| Keywords: | Bactrocera tryoni attractant bacteria electrophysiology microbial volatiles pest management; |
| Notes: | "PubMed-not-MEDLINETallon, Anais K Manning, Lee-Anne Mas, Flore eng HG13034/Better Border Biosecurity and Horticulture Australian Innovation (HAL-SITplus)/ Switzerland 2023/07/29 Microorganisms. 2023 Jun 23; 11(7):1643. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11071643" |
