Populations of the Gall Midge Dasineura oxycoccana on Cranberry and Blueberry Produce and Respond to Different Sex Pheromones

Abstract

We identified and field-tested the sex pheromones of Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) midges collected from cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, and from highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., commonly named cranberry tipworm (CTW) and blueberry gall midge (BGM), respectively. Coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analyses of pheromone gland extract from the ovipositor of calling CTW females revealed one component (<10 pg per ovipositor/pheromone gland) that elicited antennal responses from CTW males. Stepwise identification was based on its mass spectrum in a concentrated sample with 300 pheromone gland equivalents, retention indices (RI) on three GC columns (DB-5, DB-23, and DB 210), RI inter-column differentials, and RIs and double bond positions of other midge pheromones. These analyses indicated that (8Z)-2,14-diacetoxy-8-heptadecene (2,14-8Z-17) was the candidate pheromone of the CTW. GC-EAD analysis of pheromone gland extract from calling BGM females revealed two components that elicited antennal responses from BGM males. Retention times on the three GC columns were consistent with 2,14-8Z-17 and 2,14-17, indicating that these were candidate pheromone components of the BGM. The four stereoisomers of 2,14-8Z-17 were stereoselectively synthesized and field-tested in cranberry. Delta-type traps baited with SS-2,14-8Z-17 captured significantly more CTW males than did traps baited with any other single stereoisomer or with all four stereoisomers combined. In blueberry, delta-type traps baited with RR-2,14-8Z-17 captured significantly more BGM males than did traps baited with any other single stereoisomer or with all four stereoisomers combined. Subsequent field experiments demonstrated that RR-2,14-17 is the major pheromone component of BGM, and that RR-2,14-8Z-17 is a pheromone component that does not enhance attractiveness of RR-2,14-17. The BGM pheromone RR-2,14-17 has no antagonistic effect on the CTW pheromone SS-2,14-8Z-17 and vice versa. Our results substantiate the conclusion that populations of D. oxycoccana on cranberry and blueberry represent two cryptic species.

Female sex pheromone gland of the boxwood leafminer, Monarthropalpus buxi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): Morphological and behavioural evidence

“…To date, the components of the female sex pheromones of 17 gall midge species have been identified and shown to attract con-specific males in laboratory bioassays and/or in field experiments (Hall et al, 2012;Fitzpatrick et al, 2013). Pheromone lures and traps have been developed for several species of midges that are of economic importance, which are already commercially available and in use for monitoring these pests (Bruce et al, 2007;Suckling et al, 2007;Cross et al, 2008Cross et al, , 2009Tanasković & Milenković, 2011).…”

“…The existence of female-produced sex pheromones has been demonstrated for 10 phytophagous species (Harris & Foster, 1999;Hall et al, 2012) and one zoophagous species (van Lenteren et al, 2002). The components of the female sex pheromones of 17 species of gall midges have also been identified and shown to attract conspecific males in field experiments and/or laboratory bioassays (Hall et al, 2012;Fitzpatrick et al, 2013). The sex pheromone gland is in the region of the ovipositor.…”

A Bucket-Type Emergence Trap for Detecting Overwintered Dasineura oxycoccana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and Its Parasitoids in Cranberry

“…Wong 2 ,Kieryn Matthews 2 ,Snehlata Mathur 1 ,Miranda Elsby 3 ,Kaitlyn Schurmann 4 ,and Lindsay N. Craig 2 Dasineura oxycoccana Johnson (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is an economically significant pest of cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton (Ericaceae), and highbush blueberry species, including V. corymbosum L., V. corymbosum L. × V. darrowi Camp., and V. virgatum Aiton (all Ericaceae) (Dernisky et al 2005;Fitzpatrick 2009;Liburd & Averill 2016;Rhodes et al 2014). Host-associated populations of D. oxycoccana from cranberry (cranberry tipworm) and blueberry (blueberry gall midge) ) are genetically distinct (Mathur et al 2012), produce different pheromones (Fitzpatrick et al 2013) and do not interbreed (Cook et al 2011). The overwintering stage of cecidomyiids is usually the full-grown larva that uses a spatula structure on the prothorax to dig into soil before entering diapause (Gagne 1989).…”

Physiological Integration Plays Key Role in Cranberry (Ericales: Ericaceae) for Tolerance of Damage byDasineura oxycoccana(Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

“…British Columbia and Quebec are the major cranberry production regions in Canada (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 2009). Dasineura oxycoccana Johnson is a gall-making ßy native to North America whose larvae feed on the developing buds of cranberry and several species of blueberry (Fitzpatrick et al 2013). Tipworm females oviposit on the actively growing uprights or shoots of cranberry, and the larvae kill the tip by piercing through the meristematic tissue (Cook et al 2011).…”

“…However, it has been suggested that tipworm injury can have a negative impact on fruit production in the northern latitudes (Maine and northern Wisconsin), and it has reached pest status in the cranberry-growing regions of British Columbia, Canada (C. Armstrong, personal communication, Mahr 2005, Mahr and Perry 2006, Cook et al 2011. Tipworm is also a severe pest of commercially cultivated blueberries in the southern United States (Sampson et al 2002, Hahn andIssacs 2012), although recent work has suggested that the populations of tipworm on cranberry and blueberry may be cryptic species (Cook et al 2011Mathur et al 2012;Fitzpatrick et al 2013).…”