| Title: | Identification and application of bacterial volatiles to attract a generalist aphid parasitoid: from laboratory to greenhouse assays |
| Author(s): | Goelen T; Vuts J; Sobhy IS; Wackers F; Caulfield JC; Birkett MA; Rediers H; Jacquemyn H; Lievens B; |
| Address: | "Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Leuven, Belgium. Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt. Biobest, Westerlo, Belgium. Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1526-4998 (Electronic) 1526-498X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that microorganisms emit volatile compounds that affect insect behaviour. However, it remains largely unclear whether microbes can be exploited as a source of attractants to improve biological control of insect pests. In this study, we used a combination of coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAG) and Y-tube olfactometer bioassays to identify attractive compounds in the volatile extracts of three bacterial strains that are associated with the habitat of the generalist aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani, and to create mixtures of synthetic compounds to find attractive blends for A. colemani. Subsequently, the most attractive blend was evaluated in two-choice cage experiments under greenhouse conditions. RESULTS: GC-EAG analysis revealed 20 compounds that were linked to behaviourally attractive bacterial strains. A mixture of two EAG-active compounds, styrene and benzaldehyde applied at a respective dose of 1 mug and 10 ng, was more attractive than the single compounds or the culture medium of the bacteria in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. Application of this synthetic mixture under greenhouse conditions resulted in significant attraction of the parasitoids, and outperformed application of the bacterial culture medium. CONCLUSION: Compounds isolated from bacterial blends were capable of attracting parasitoids both in laboratory and greenhouse assays, indicating that microbial cultures are an effective source of insect attractants. This opens new opportunities to attract and retain natural enemies of pest species and to enhance biological pest control" |
| Keywords: | Animals *Aphids Bacteria Biological Assay Laboratories *Volatile Organic Compounds/pharmacology Aphidius colemani Bacillus VOCs electroantennogram multitrophic interactions natural enemy; |
| Notes: | "MedlineGoelen, Tim Vuts, Jozsef Sobhy, Islam S Wackers, Felix Caulfield, John C Birkett, Michael A Rediers, Hans Jacquemyn, Hans Lievens, Bart eng HBC.2018/2022/Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen/ 1S15116316N/Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ England 2020/09/26 Pest Manag Sci. 2021 Feb; 77(2):930-938. doi: 10.1002/ps.6102. Epub 2020 Oct 16" |
