Tracking Short-Range Attraction and Oviposition of European Grapevine Moths Affected by Volatile Organic Compounds in a Four-Chamber Olfactometer

Abstract

The identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leading to short-range attraction and oviposition of the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana and European grape berry moth Eupoecilia ambiguella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is crucial in order to establish bait-based decision support systems for control of these pests. Therefore, we developed a method to measure the real-time behavioral response of female moths to VOCs using a four-chamber olfactometer coupled with a video tracking system. Ten synthetic VOCs were selected for this study: (S)-(−)-perillaldehyde, (E)/(Z)-linalool oxide, (±)-limonene, linalool, (E)-β-caryophyllene, α/β-farnesene, (−)-α-cedrene, methyl salicylate and cumene. The effect of VOCs on egg deposition was determined using a dual-choice oviposition test, whereas perception by female antennae was verified using electroantennography (EAG). During video tracking, females responded to volatile compounds emitted by grapevine with higher antennae and ovipositor activity than to air control. (E)/(Z)-linalool oxide, cumene and (S)-(−)-perillaldehyde released ovipositor activity of L. botrana, while the latter provoked oviposition. (R)/(S)-limonene affected ovipositor activity of E. ambiguella, whereas none of the VOCs tested attracted for oviposition. The results suggest that females have the ability to perceive specific VOCs by the antennae but also by the ovipositor, which could attract or repel for egg deposition.

Detecting the Conspecific: Herbivory-Induced Olfactory Cues in the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…The effects of ( Z )-β-ocimene and Linalool on a variety of insect herbivores are well described, including oviposition deterrent, antifeedant, and parasitoid host location effects, in addition to the triggering of additional defense pathways [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]. DMNT, ( E )-β-farnese, ( E )-nerolidol, and TMTT, have also been reported as exerting oviposition deterrent effects across several insect species, including some Lepidoptera, among other possible effects [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

The Effects of Climate Change on the Activity of the Lobesia botrana and Eupoecilia ambiguella Moths on the Grapevine Cultivars from the Târnave Vineyard

“…The laying of eggs begins at sunset and lasts until night. In contrast, E. ambiguella is flight-active at dawn, and egg laying has been observed from noon to night [52], when the temperature is higher, and the atmospheric humidity is lower; thus, the mortality of the eggs is higher. Each plot of the vineyard is unique, and the distribution of insects changes depending on the stage of development, the season, the phenological state of the crop, and the climatic conditions [20].…”

European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana Part I: Biology and ecology

“…Regarding the role of non-host plants, EGVM detects the terpenes produced by tansy, Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae) (Gabel 1992). Furthermore, the effect of a single compound, (S)-(−)-perillaldehyde, a volatile emitted by Perilla frutescens (L.) (Lamiaceae), promotes oviposition by EGVM (Cattaneo et al 2014;Markheiser et al 2020). It has been hypothesised that not only antennal olfactory receptors, but also gustatory sensory structures located on the ovipositor may be involved in this behaviour.…”