Volatile and non-volatile fungal oxylipins in fungus-invertebrate interactions

The Attraction of the Dung Beetle Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) to Volatiles from Vertebrate Cadavers

“…DMTS and 3-octanone also elicited the strongest electrophysiological responses in this beetle species, thus emphasizing that these two compounds probably play a prominent role in beetle attraction. DMTS, as a single compound, is sufficient to attract various carrion-associated blowfly species [ 53 ] and 3-octanone, as a characteristic fungal VOC, is known to be involved in the attraction of predatory beetles [ 65 ]. Anoplotrupes stercorosus beetles might also use 3-octanone as an olfactory cue to locate carrion, since fungal scent is a reliable indicator for the decomposition process of organic material [ 66 ].…”

Fungal volatile organic compounds show promise as potent molluscicides

“…Although Metarhizium species produce a wide range of VOCs, the eight‐carbon volatiles, 1‐octene, 1‐octen‐3‐ol and 3‐octenone, are of particular interest because these ubiquitous fungal compounds which are known to play a major role in fungal‐invertebrate interactions . These VOCs have been shown to influence the behavior of a wide range of insects, acting as either attractants or repellents .…”

“…Although Metarhizium species produce a wide range of VOCs, 24,29 the eight-carbon volatiles, 1-octene, 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octenone, are of particular interest because these ubiquitous fungal compounds which are known to play a major role in fungal-invertebrate interactions. 23,36 These VOCs have been shown to influence the behavior of a wide range of insects, acting as either attractants or repellents. 22,37 One notable study is that of Yanagawa et al, 28 who reported that termite aversion of the insect pathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea Wize was due to 3-octanone and 1-octen-3-ol present in small amounts (0.01 ng per 10 7 conidia) on the conidial surface.…”

“…20 Some compounds clearly possess pesticidal or repellent properties. [21][22][23] Most notable are 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone and 1-octene, which are produced by a wide range of fungi including saprophytic molds, mushrooms and entomopathogenic fungi including species of Beauveria and Metarhizium. [24][25][26][27][28] Exactly why entomopathogenic fungi produce these compounds is unclear but the fact that so many insects exhibit avoidance behavior suggest that they are responding to VOCs.…”

“…Many fungal species produce low molecular weight volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with insect behavior modifying properties . Some compounds clearly possess pesticidal or repellent properties . Most notable are 1‐octen‐3‐ol, 3‐octanone and 1‐octene, which are produced by a wide range of fungi including saprophytic molds, mushrooms and entomopathogenic fungi including species of Beauveria and Metarhizium .…”