Cuticular hydrocarbons C14-C36 are potential contact pheromonal elements modulating some behaviors in Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Qadir, Ishana; Qamar, Ayesha; Paul, Bishwajeet; Mir, Ashiq Hussain

doi:10.2478/s11756-020-00515-w

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Based on our observations, we speculate that both females or male adults of A. diaperinus release CHC compounds that allow the partner to be recognized by the opposite gender during antennation. This behaviour to recognise mates at short distances is mediated by semiochemicals such as a contact sex pheromone (58,61,62,67,98). In the copulatory phase, male beetles and A. diaperinus continue their antennation, touch with their maxillary palps and grasp the female's cuticles with his prothoracic and mesothoracic leg (59,65,80,97) while mounting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, circadian behaviour is a crucial component of almost any ecological and evolutionary process (55,57). Thus, basic knowledge such as identifying processes affecting aggregation or mating behaviour addressing their circadian pattern of sexual behaviour is crucial for more efficient pest management (44,(57)(58)(59)(60)(61)(62).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this regard, sexual communication in insects is based on visual, olfactory, tactile and even auditory stimuli (62,65,66). From those mentioned, olfactory stimuli based on chemicals are by far the most critical signals (64,(67)(68)(69).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Insect cuticles are made by a lipid wax layer, in which cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) are a significant contributor (49,70,71). Besides their function of limiting water loss and reducing external damage by toxins and pathogens, CHCs also play a critical role in chemical communication for species, nest or mate recognition, and signalling reproductive status (49,61,62,64,70,(72)(73)(74). In beetles, volatiles associated with intra-specific long attraction is usually associated with aggregation pheromones; in contrast, low volatile and non-volatile compounds are associated with contact sex pheromones (58,72,75,76).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To achieve sexual reproduction, insect adults develop a set of behavioural displays (i.e., mating behaviour), which involves partner recognition, courtship, and copulation (44,63,64). In this regard, sexual communication in insects is based on visual, olfactory, tactile and even auditory stimuli (62,65,66). From those mentioned, olfactory stimuli based on chemicals are by far the most critical signals (64,67–69).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gender identity and sexual experience affect mating behaviour and chemical profile in the lesser mealworm,Alphitobius diaperinus(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Calla-Quispe

Martel

Ibáñez

2021

Preprint

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Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), the lesser mealworm, is one of the most significant pests of the poultry industry worldwide. These insects cause structural damage in poultry houses and transmit several diseases, impacting chickens' productivity and rearing costs. Although semiochemicals may offer alternative insect pest management strategies, basic information regarding pheromone identity and their role on the behavioural ecology according to their circadian pattern of sexual behaviour of A. diaperinus is essentially lacking. This study is aimed to analyse the relation of gender identity and sexual experience of adults of A. diaperinus on their mating behaviour and whether this response is related to their CHC profiles secreted. The following steps were taken to achieve the study’s goal. First, the circadian pattern of their sexual activity was observed in newly emerged pairs for at least twenty-one days (virgin adults) and experienced adults collected from the field to identify a difference based on their sexual experience and achieve the optimal mating season to develop the following assays. Subsequently, Y-tube olfactometer bioassays were conducted to evaluate their odour bouquet attraction based on gender and sexual experience. Additionally, mating behaviour bioassays were conducted to evaluate the two factor effects. Finally, cuticular analysis was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to evaluate possible chemical differences based on the two factors. With statistical and multivariate analysis, we found that behavioural, mating and chemical responses are different based on their sexual experience. The mating sequences were described into precopulatory, copulatory and postcopulatory phases. This finding gives us a deeper understanding of the sexual communication during mating. In summary, our findings provide new insights into the mating system and chemical ecology of A. diaperinus . The results presented here may serve as a base for further studies to develop strategies for managing this pest.

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