Electrophysiological responses of four fungivorous coleoptera to volatiles of Trametes versicolor: implications for host selection

Abstract

Fungi of the genus Trametes are known as important wood decomposers and are colonized by various species of Coleoptera and other arthropods. The aim of the present study was to investigate the importance of volatile chemical compounds as key attraction factors in recognition and host selection by species of Erotylidae (Dacne bipustulata, Tritoma bipustulata) as well as Cisidae (Sulcacis affinis) and Tenebrionidae (Diaperis boleti). Volatiles from freshly collected Trametes versicolor were collected by headspace sampling technique and identified by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To evaluate the biological significance of the volatiles we performed behavioural tests and recorded antennal responses of the fungus-inhabiting species by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). The scent of T. versicolor was found to be dominated by sesquiterpenes; in GC-EAD 6 of these compounds elicited reproducible antennal signals in the tested species. Highly significant attraction effects to the fungus, the obtained odour samples and previously described fungal C 8 -compounds were observed in behavioural tests. The possibility to detect these chemical compounds as a key cue for host selection implicate that beetles are able to discriminate between fungi of different age as well as different stages of colonization.

Fungal secondary metabolites as modulators of interactions with insects and other arthropods

“…Like in plants (Holopainen and Gershenzon, 2010), emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by fungi may be an efficient way of signaling fungal feeders about their unprofitability. Support for this hypothesis is provided by the various fungivore food choice experiments mentioned above and other studies focusing explicitly on induction of attraction or avoidance by VOCs (e.g., Bartelt and Wicklow, 1999;Drilling and Dettner, 2009;Hedlund et al, 1995;Pierce et al, 1991;Thakeow et al, 2008, and more). The powerful approach of using transgenic fungi with impaired secondary metabolite expression and/or volatile formation still awaits inclusion into chemo-ecological studies.…”

Influence of Methyl Eugenol Diluted with Paraffin Oil on Male Annihilation Technique of Peach Fruit Fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…While, dilution amounts of common floral scent compounds of Silene latifolia was done [46] to study the behavioural responses of Hadena bicruris (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). The volatiles of the fungus, Trametes versicolor were diluted in paraffin oil to study the response of coleopteran fungivorous insect, Sulcacis affinis (Cissidae) [47]. On the other hand, methyl eugenol can be mixed with cue-lure at different concentrations in MAT to control Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and B. cucurbitae (Coquillett) [10,48,49].…”

Bioprospecting bacterial and fungal volatiles for sustainable agriculture

“…Not determined Growth inhibition [21] Trametes gibbosa Serves as attractant for fungus eating beetles [65] Trametes versicolor Serves as attractant for fungus eating beetles [66] Bacterial or Fungal species and strain…”