Ultramicrochemistry of insect semiochemicals

In order to improve the eYciency of the known Xoral attractant of Epicometis hirta [(E)-anethol and (E)-cinnamyl alcohol in a ratio of 1:1], candidate synergist compounds for Weld tests were selected through electroantennographic tests using the antennae of female and male E. hirta adult beetles. Among synthetic Xoral compounds 4-methoxyphenethyl alcohol and methyl salicylate evoked high responses from the antennae and were chosen for further Weld studies. In trapping tests in Bulgaria, the addition of 4-methoxyphenethyl alcohol to the E. hirta bait in the ratio of 1:1:1, in Hungary in ratios of 1:1:0.3 and 1:1:1 signiWcantly increased catches. The addition of methyl salicylate was without eVect in both countries. A high-capacity trap supplied with this ternary attractant could be more eYcient for mass trapping purposes of E. hirta in environment-friendly plant protection.

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“…4-Methoxyphenethyl alcohol is exploited as an attractant by Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (Metcalf 1998). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the floral attractant to lure Epicometis hirta Poda (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

et al. 2009

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“…Moreover, the transmission and perception of pheromones has been modelled extensively (e.g. Kauer & White, 2001; Meredith, 1991; Metcalf, 1998). Given the extent of research and the recognised importance of pheromones as signals in sexual selection – all but two of the reviews in Table 1 makes some reference to ‘sex pheromones’– it is perhaps then surprising that their role in individual mate assessment remains relatively unexplored.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of chemical communication in mate choice

2007

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Chemical signals are omnipresent in sexual communication in the vast majority of living organisms. The traditional paradigm was that their main purpose in sexual behaviour was to coordinate mate and species recognition and thus pheromones were conserved in structure and function. In recent years, this view has been challenged by theoretical analyses on the evolution of pheromones and empirical reports of mate choice based on chemical signals. The ability to measure precisely the quantity and quality of chemicals emitted by single individuals has also revealed considerable individual variation in chemical composition and release rates, and there is mounting evidence that prospecting mates respond to this variation. Here, we review the evidence for pheromones as indicators of mate quality and examine the extent of their use in individual mate assessment. We begin by briefly defining the levels of mate choice--species recognition, mate recognition and mate assessment. We then explore the degree to which pheromones satisfy the key criteria necessary for their evolution and maintenance as cues in mate assessment; that is, they should exhibit variation across individuals within a sex and species; they should honestly reflect an individual's quality and thus be costly to produce and/or maintain; they should display relatively high levels of heritability. There is now substantial empirical evidence that pheromones can satisfy all these criteria and, while measurements of the actual metabolic cost of pheromone production remain to some degree lacking, trade-offs between pheromone production and various fitness-related characters such as growth rate, immunocompetence and longevity have been reported for a range of species. In the penultimate section, we outline the growing number of studies where the consequences of chemical-based mate assessment have been investigated, specifically focussing on the reported direct and genetic benefits accrued by the receiver. Finally, we highlight potential areas for future research and in particular emphasise the need for interdisciplinary research that combines exploration of chemical, physiological and behavioural processes to further our understanding of the role of chemical cues in mate assessment.

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“…ndividual organisms often produce natural products in very small quantities (1). Accordingly, their isolation and identification traditionally require large amounts of starting material and a significant effort in sample preparation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Single-Insect NMR: A New Tool To Probe Chemical Biodiversity

et al. 2006

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Because of analytical limitations, multiple animals or plants are typically required to identify natural products. Using a unique 1-mm high-temperature superconducting NMR probe, we directly examined the chemical composition of defensive secretions from walking stick insects. Individual milkings were dissolved in D2O without purification and examined by NMR within 10 min of secretion. We found that Anisomorpha buprestoides secretes similar quantities of glucose and mixtures of monoterpene dialdehydes that are stereoisomers of dolichodial. Different individual animals produce different stereoisomeric mixtures, the ratio of which varies between individual animals raised in the same container and fed the same food. Another walking stick, Peruphasma schultei, also secretes glucose and a single, unique stereoisomer that we are naming "peruphasmal". These observations suggest a previously unrecognized significance of aqueous components in walking stick defensive sprays. Single-insect variability of venom demonstrates the potential importance of chemical biodiversity at the level of individual animals.

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Ultramicrochemistry of insect semiochemicals

Cited by 6 publications

References 68 publications

Improving the floral attractant to lure Epicometis hirta Poda (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

Improving the floral attractant to lure Epicometis hirta Poda (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

The role of chemical communication in mate choice

Single-Insect NMR: A New Tool To Probe Chemical Biodiversity

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