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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Pheromone-induced priming of a defensive response in Western flower thrips
Author(s):		de Bruijn PJ; Egas M; Janssen A; Sabelis MW;
Address:		"Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. egas@science.uva.nl"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2006
Volume:		20060520
Issue:		7
Page Number:		1599 - 1603
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-006-9092-1
ISSN/ISBN:		0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis produces conspicuous anal droplets that function as a direct defense against various predators. These droplets also function in pheromonal communication in that they contain a mixture of decyl acetate and dodecyl acetate, which acts as an alarm. Exposure of thrips to synthetic pheromone is known to promote takeoff or refuge seeking, but the effect of the natural pheromone has not yet been studied. Here, we not only studied the response to natural pheromone, but also tested the new hypothesis that the alarm pheromone primes a defensive response in thrips. This test was carried out by measuring the reaction time to a simulated predator attack after exposure to synthetic or natural alarm pheromone (against a control with no pheromone at all). The reaction was quantified in terms of the time it takes a thrips larva to produce a droplet after attack. We found that thrips larvae produce droplets of alarm pheromone faster when cues associated with danger are present. There were no significant differences in reaction times of responses to synthetic pheromone, natural pheromone, or odors from a patch with a predator attacking a thrips larva. This implies that the synthetic pheromone mimics the natural pheromone, and that other cues emanating from the predator play a minor role. We conclude that the alarm pheromone increases the vigilance of the thrips, and this may promote its survival"
Keywords:		"Animals Behavior, Animal/*physiology Insecta/*physiology Larva Pheromones/chemistry/*physiology Predatory Behavior Reaction Time;"
Notes:		"Medlinede Bruijn, Paulien J A Egas, Martijn Janssen, Arne Sabelis, Maurice W eng 2006/05/20 J Chem Ecol. 2006 Jul; 32(7):1599-603. doi: 10.1007/s10886-006-9092-1. Epub 2006 May 20"