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Aggregation Pheromone (aggregation + pheromone)
Selected AbstractsIdentification and Biosynthesis of an Aggregation Pheromone of the Storage Mite Chortoglyphus arcuatusCHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 11 2004Stefan Schulz Prof. Abstract In an effort to identify new pheromones from mites, the headspace of undisturbed colonies of the storage mite Chortoglyphus arcuatus was analyzed by GC-MS by use of a closed-loop stripping apparatus (CLSA) or solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The major compound emitted from the mites is (4R,6R,8R)-4,6,8-trimethyldecan-2-one (4R,6R,8R - 8). The structure was elucidated by analysis of the mass spectrum, synthesis of authentic samples, and gas chromatography on a chiral phase. Bioassays show that this compound, for which we propose the trivial name chortolure, is an aggregation pheromone for both sexes of this species. Several related compounds are released in smaller amounts by the mites. The alarm pheromones of these mites, neral and geranial, can only be found in total extracts of the mites, in which 8 occurs only in minute amounts. The method of sampling is therefore crucial for pheromone identification. Feeding experiments with deuterated propionate showed that chortolure is a polyketide, formed by successive addition of four propionate units to an acetate starter. [source] Allee effect in larval resource exploitation in Drosophila: an interaction among density of adults, larvae, and micro-organismsECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 5 2002Bregje Wertheim Abstract 1. Aggregation pheromones can evolve when individuals benefit from clustering. Such a situation can arise with an Allee effect, i.e. a positive relationship between individual fitness and density of conspecifics. Aggregation pheromone in Drosophila induces aggregated oviposition. The aim of the work reported here was to identify an Allee effect in the larval resource exploitation by Drosophila melanogaster, which could explain the evolution of aggregation pheromone in this species. 2. It is hypothesised that an Allee effect in D. melanogaster larvae arises from an increased efficiency of a group of larvae to temper fungal growth on their feeding substrate. To test this hypothesis, standard apple substrates were infested with specified numbers of larvae, and their survival and development were monitored. A potential beneficial effect of the presence of adult flies was also investigated by incubating a varying number of adults on the substrate before introducing the larvae. Adults inoculate substrates with yeast, on which the larvae feed. 3. Fungal growth was related negatively to larval survival and the size of the emerging flies. Although the fungal growth on the substrate was largely reduced at increased larval densities, the measurements of fitness components indicated no Allee effect between larval densities and larval fitness, but rather indicated larval competition. 4. In contrast, increased adult densities on the substrates prior to larval development yielded higher survival of the larvae, larger emerging flies, and also reduced fungal growth on the substrates. Hence, adults enhanced the quality of the larval substrate and significant benefits of aggregated oviposition in fruit flies were shown. Experiments with synthetic pheromone indicated that the aggregation pheromone itself did not contribute directly to the quality of the larval resource. 5. The interaction among adults, micro-organisms, and larval growth is discussed in relation to the consequences for total fitness. [source] The mode of evolution of aggregation pheromones in Drosophila speciesJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005M. R. E. SYMONDS Abstract Aggregation pheromones are used by fruit flies of the genus Drosophila to assemble on breeding substrates, where they feed, mate and oviposit communally. These pheromones consist of species-specific blends of chemicals. Here, using a phylogenetic framework, we examine how differences among species in these pheromone blends have evolved. Theoretical predictions, genetic evidence, and previous empirical analysis of bark beetle species, suggest that aggregation pheromones do not evolve gradually, but via major, saltational shifts in chemical composition. Using pheromone data for 28 species of Drosophila we show that, unlike with bark beetles, the distribution of chemical components among species is highly congruent with their phylogeny, with closely related species being more similar in their pheromone blends than are distantly related species. This pattern is also strong within the melanogaster species group, but less so within the virilis species group. Our analysis strongly suggests that the aggregation pheromones of Drosophila exhibit a gradual, not saltational, mode of evolution. We propose that these findings reflect the function of the pheromones in the ecology of Drosophila, which does not hinge on species specificity of aggregation pheromones as signals. [source] Allee effect in larval resource exploitation in Drosophila: an interaction among density of adults, larvae, and micro-organismsECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 5 2002Bregje Wertheim Abstract 1. Aggregation pheromones can evolve when individuals benefit from clustering. Such a situation can arise with an Allee effect, i.e. a positive relationship between individual fitness and density of conspecifics. Aggregation pheromone in Drosophila induces aggregated oviposition. The aim of the work reported here was to identify an Allee effect in the larval resource exploitation by Drosophila melanogaster, which could explain the evolution of aggregation pheromone in this species. 2. It is hypothesised that an Allee effect in D. melanogaster larvae arises from an increased efficiency of a group of larvae to temper fungal growth on their feeding substrate. To test this hypothesis, standard apple substrates were infested with specified numbers of larvae, and their survival and development were monitored. A potential beneficial effect of the presence of adult flies was also investigated by incubating a varying number of adults on the substrate before introducing the larvae. Adults inoculate substrates with yeast, on which the larvae feed. 3. Fungal growth was related negatively to larval survival and the size of the emerging flies. Although the fungal growth on the substrate was largely reduced at increased larval densities, the measurements of fitness components indicated no Allee effect between larval densities and larval fitness, but rather indicated larval competition. 4. In contrast, increased adult densities on the substrates prior to larval development yielded higher survival of the larvae, larger emerging flies, and also reduced fungal growth on the substrates. Hence, adults enhanced the quality of the larval substrate and significant benefits of aggregated oviposition in fruit flies were shown. Experiments with synthetic pheromone indicated that the aggregation pheromone itself did not contribute directly to the quality of the larval resource. 5. The interaction among adults, micro-organisms, and larval growth is discussed in relation to the consequences for total fitness. [source] Cocoon-spinning larvae of Oriental fruit moth and Indianmeal moth do not produce aggregation pheromoneAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Zaid Jumean Abstract 1,Mature larvae of the Oriental fruit moth (OFM) Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the Indianmeal moth (IMM) Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) leave their food source in search of suitable pupation sites in which to spin cocoons. These sites are typically well-concealed cracks and crevices within the environment. Such cocooning behaviour is also observed in larvae of the codling moth (CM) Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), which aggregate prior to pupation in response to a pheromone blend produced by cocoon-spinning conspecific larvae. 2,In laboratory experiments, we tested whether cocoon-spinning OFM and IMM larvae produce aggregation pheromones and whether CM larvae are cross-attracted to closely-related OFM larvae. 3,Fifth-instar OFM and IMM larvae were not attracted to, or arrested by, cocoon-spinning conspecifics. Moreover, fifth-instar CM larvae were not cross-attracted to either cocoon-spinning OFM or IMM larvae. 4,Analyses of volatiles released from cocoon-spinning OFM and IMM larvae revealed that both OFM and IMM lack components that are present in the aggregation pheromone of CM larvae. This information may help explain why CM larvae are not cross-attracted to cocooning OFM or IMM larvae. [source] Successful colonization, reproduction, and new generation emergence in live interior hybrid spruce Picea engelmannii×glauca by mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosaeAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Dezene P. W. Huber Abstract 1,Although mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins are able to utilize most available Pinus spp. as hosts, successful colonization and reproduction in other hosts within the Pinaceae is rare. 2,We observed successful reproduction of mountain pine beetle and emergence of new generation adults from interior hybrid spruce Picea engelmannii×glauca and compared a number of parameters related to colonization and reproductive success in spruce with nearby lodgepole pine Pinus contorta infested by mountain pine beetle. 3,The results obtained indicate that reduced competition in spruce allowed mountain pine beetle parents that survived the colonization process to produce more offspring per pair than in more heavily-infested nearby pine. 4,We also conducted an experiment in which 20 spruce and 20 lodgepole pines were baited with the aggregation pheromone of mountain pine beetle. Nineteen pines (95%) and eight spruce (40%) were attacked by mountain pine beetle, with eight (40%) and three (15%) mass-attacked, respectively. 5,Successful attacks on nonhost trees during extreme epidemics may be one mechanism by which host shifts and subsequent speciation events have occurred in Dendroctonus spp. bark beetles. [source] Potential of a synthetic aggregation pheromone for integrated pest management of Colorado potato beetleAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2006T. P. Kuhar Abstract 1The relative number of colonizing adult Colorado potato beetles (CPB) Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) coming to pitfall traps baited with the aggregation pheromone (S)-3,7-dimethyl-2-oxo-oct-6-ene-1,3-diol [(S)-CPB I] and the use of the pheromone in a trap crop pest management strategy were evaluated in the field for the first time. 2More than five-fold more adult L. decemlineata were caught in pitfall traps baited with the pheromone compared with controls. However, attraction to the pheromone diminished after 5 days in the field. 3In the trap crop management strategy, more colonizing adults were present in pheromone-treated rows of potatoes compared with untreated middle rows. 4Significantly fewer L. decemlineata egg masses and larvae were found in potato plots that were bordered by pheromone-treated rows, or bordered by imidacloprid + pheromone-treated rows, or rows treated at-planting with imidacloprid compared with untreated (control) potato plots. 5Densities of L. decemlineata egg masses and larvae and percentage defoliation were significantly lower, and marketable tuber yield significantly higher, in conventional imidacloprid-treated potatoes compared with all other treatments. 6Although our results demonstrate the potential for use of the aggregation pheromone in the management of L. decemlineata in the field, more research is needed to optimize the release rates of the attractant and incorporate control methods for cohabiting pests. [source] Effect of varying monoterpene concentrations on the response of Ips pini (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to its aggregation pheromone: implications for pest management and ecology of bark beetlesAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Nadir Erbilgin Abstract 1,Host plant terpenes can influence attraction of conifer bark beetles to their aggregation pheromones: both synergistic and inhibitory compounds have been reported. However, we know little about how varying concentrations of individual monoterpenes affect responses. 2,We tested a gradient of ratios of ,-pinene, the predominant monoterpene in host pines in the Great Lakes region of North America, to Ips pini's pheromone, racemic ipsdienol plus lanierone. 3,Ips pini demonstrated a parabolic response, in which low concentrations of ,-pinene had no effect on attraction to its pheromone, intermediate concentrations were synergistic and high concentrations were inhibitory. These results suggest optimal release rates for population monitoring and suppression programmes. 4,Inhibition of bark beetle attraction to pheromones may be an important component of conifer defences. At terpene to pheromone ratios emulating emissions from trees actively responding to a first attack, arrival of flying beetles was low. This may constitute an additional defensive role of terpenes, which are also toxic to bark beetles at high concentrations. 5,Reduced attraction to a low ratio of ,-pinene to pheromone, as occurs when colonization densities become high and the tree's resin is largely depleted, might reflect a mechanism for preventing excessive crowding. 6,Thanasimus dubius, the predominant predator of I. pini, was also attracted to ipsdienol plus lanierone, but its response differed from that of its prey. Attraction increased across all concentrations of ,-pinene. This indicates that separate lures are needed to sample both predators and bark beetles effectively. It also provides an opportunity for maximizing pest removal while reducing adverse effects on beneficial species. This disparity further illustrates the complexity confronting natural enemies that track chemical signals to locate herbivores. [source] Deuterated analogues of 4,8-dimethyldecanal, the aggregation pheromone of Tribolium castaneum: synthesis and pheromonal activityJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 13 2004Junheon Kim Abstract To elucidate the deuterium isotope effect (DIE) in pheromonal activity and to investigate the biosynthetic pathway of 4,8-dimethyldecanal (4,8-DMD; 1), the aggregation pheromone of the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), deuterated analogues of 4,8-DMDs (2, 3, 4, and 5), were synthesized and their pheromonal activities were tested using a two-hole pitfall olfactometer. Although no apparent DIE was observed in their pheromonal activities, 4,8-DMD- 1-d1 (2) was less attractive than other analogues, which suggested that the bond distance between the formyl group of 1 and its receptor was critical in pheromone recognition by T. castaneum. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Identification and Biosynthesis of an Aggregation Pheromone of the Storage Mite Chortoglyphus arcuatusCHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 11 2004Stefan Schulz Prof. Abstract In an effort to identify new pheromones from mites, the headspace of undisturbed colonies of the storage mite Chortoglyphus arcuatus was analyzed by GC-MS by use of a closed-loop stripping apparatus (CLSA) or solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The major compound emitted from the mites is (4R,6R,8R)-4,6,8-trimethyldecan-2-one (4R,6R,8R - 8). The structure was elucidated by analysis of the mass spectrum, synthesis of authentic samples, and gas chromatography on a chiral phase. Bioassays show that this compound, for which we propose the trivial name chortolure, is an aggregation pheromone for both sexes of this species. Several related compounds are released in smaller amounts by the mites. The alarm pheromones of these mites, neral and geranial, can only be found in total extracts of the mites, in which 8 occurs only in minute amounts. The method of sampling is therefore crucial for pheromone identification. Feeding experiments with deuterated propionate showed that chortolure is a polyketide, formed by successive addition of four propionate units to an acetate starter. [source] Density-mediated responses of bark beetles to host allelochemicals: a link between individual behaviour and population dynamicsECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Kimberly F. Wallin Abstract ,1. Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) accept or reject host conifers based partly on concentrations of phloem monoterpenes. They colonise trees in aggregations, in response to pheromones that attract flying beetles to trees undergoing colonisation. A series of entry and gallery construction assays was conducted to determine whether responses by individual beetles to monoterpenes are altered by pheromones and/or the presence of other beetles. 2. Entry into the amended media by Ips pini and the length of time until entry were not influenced by the presence of aggregation pheromones. 3. Entry into amended media was influenced by the presence of other beetles on the surface of, or constructing galleries in, the substrate. The effects of alpha-pinene and limonene on host entry behaviour were mediated by the density of beetles on the surface of the assay arena, and by the density of beetles constructing galleries within the medium. 4. The percentage of beetles entering medium amended with higher concentrations of monoterpenes increased with increased density of beetles on the surface of the assay arena, until a threshold density of three or four beetles per assay arena, after which entrance rate declined. 5. The presence of other beetles constructing galleries elicited more rapid entry by the test beetles. 6. Gallery lengths were generally higher in the presence of aggregation pheromones. 7. Gallery lengths increased with increased density of beetles within the assay arena. 8. These results suggest a link between the density of bark beetles and responses of individuals. This linkage may partially explain behavioural changes observed during population eruptions. [source] The mode of evolution of aggregation pheromones in Drosophila speciesJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005M. R. E. SYMONDS Abstract Aggregation pheromones are used by fruit flies of the genus Drosophila to assemble on breeding substrates, where they feed, mate and oviposit communally. These pheromones consist of species-specific blends of chemicals. Here, using a phylogenetic framework, we examine how differences among species in these pheromone blends have evolved. Theoretical predictions, genetic evidence, and previous empirical analysis of bark beetle species, suggest that aggregation pheromones do not evolve gradually, but via major, saltational shifts in chemical composition. Using pheromone data for 28 species of Drosophila we show that, unlike with bark beetles, the distribution of chemical components among species is highly congruent with their phylogeny, with closely related species being more similar in their pheromone blends than are distantly related species. This pattern is also strong within the melanogaster species group, but less so within the virilis species group. Our analysis strongly suggests that the aggregation pheromones of Drosophila exhibit a gradual, not saltational, mode of evolution. We propose that these findings reflect the function of the pheromones in the ecology of Drosophila, which does not hinge on species specificity of aggregation pheromones as signals. [source] Cocoon-spinning larvae of Oriental fruit moth and Indianmeal moth do not produce aggregation pheromoneAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Zaid Jumean Abstract 1,Mature larvae of the Oriental fruit moth (OFM) Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the Indianmeal moth (IMM) Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) leave their food source in search of suitable pupation sites in which to spin cocoons. These sites are typically well-concealed cracks and crevices within the environment. Such cocooning behaviour is also observed in larvae of the codling moth (CM) Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), which aggregate prior to pupation in response to a pheromone blend produced by cocoon-spinning conspecific larvae. 2,In laboratory experiments, we tested whether cocoon-spinning OFM and IMM larvae produce aggregation pheromones and whether CM larvae are cross-attracted to closely-related OFM larvae. 3,Fifth-instar OFM and IMM larvae were not attracted to, or arrested by, cocoon-spinning conspecifics. Moreover, fifth-instar CM larvae were not cross-attracted to either cocoon-spinning OFM or IMM larvae. 4,Analyses of volatiles released from cocoon-spinning OFM and IMM larvae revealed that both OFM and IMM lack components that are present in the aggregation pheromone of CM larvae. This information may help explain why CM larvae are not cross-attracted to cocooning OFM or IMM larvae. [source] The enemy of my enemy is still my enemy: competitors add to predator load of a tree-killing bark beetleAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Celia K. Boone Abstract 1,The mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae is a major tree-killing bark beetle in North America. We evaluated how the subsequent arrival of a competing bark beetle Ips pini influences the arrival of predators and their impact on both species. 2,The predators Temnochila chlorodia and Enoclerus sphegeus were strongly attracted to pheromones of D. ponderosae. By contrast, Enoclerus lecontei was mostly attracted to I. pini pheromones. The host compound myrcene synergized attraction of both D. ponderosae and E. sphegeus to the pheromone of D. ponderosae. However, it inhibited attraction of both I. pini and E. lecontei to I. pini's pheromone. 3,Dendroctonus ponderosae were more attracted to trees than logs treated with its pheromones, whereas I. pini were more attracted to logs than trees treated with its pheromones. Some 78% of T. chlorodia were captured at hosts baited with D. ponderosae pheromones, whereas 83% of E. lecontei were captured at hosts baited with I. pini pheromones. We characterized the sequence of arrival to live trees baited with pheromones of D. ponderosae as: D. ponderosae, T. chlorodia, E. sphegeus, I. pini, E. lecontei. 4,Various combinations of I. pini and predators were added to logs colonized by D. ponderosae in the above sequence of arrival observed in live trees baited with D. ponderosae aggregation pheromones. Ips pini reduced D. ponderosae adult brood production. However, the combination of I. pini and E. lecontei did not raise D. ponderosae brood production above that observed with only I. pini present. Similarly, the combination of I. pini and T. chlorodia did not reduce D. ponderosae brood production below that observed with I. pini alone. By contrast, the combination of I. pini, T. chlorodia and E. lecontei caused more brood loss to D. ponderosae than I. pini alone. 5,Enoclerus lecontei did not reduce brood production by T. chlorodia, whereas T. chlorodia substantially reduced brood production by E. lecontei. 6,Secondary bark beetles that exploit the resource created by primary tree-killing species exert negative effects through both competition and increased predator load. Implications to the population dynamics, ecology and evolution of tree-killing bark beetles are discussed. [source] Effect of varying monoterpene concentrations on the response of Ips pini (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to its aggregation pheromone: implications for pest management and ecology of bark beetlesAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Nadir Erbilgin Abstract 1,Host plant terpenes can influence attraction of conifer bark beetles to their aggregation pheromones: both synergistic and inhibitory compounds have been reported. However, we know little about how varying concentrations of individual monoterpenes affect responses. 2,We tested a gradient of ratios of ,-pinene, the predominant monoterpene in host pines in the Great Lakes region of North America, to Ips pini's pheromone, racemic ipsdienol plus lanierone. 3,Ips pini demonstrated a parabolic response, in which low concentrations of ,-pinene had no effect on attraction to its pheromone, intermediate concentrations were synergistic and high concentrations were inhibitory. These results suggest optimal release rates for population monitoring and suppression programmes. 4,Inhibition of bark beetle attraction to pheromones may be an important component of conifer defences. At terpene to pheromone ratios emulating emissions from trees actively responding to a first attack, arrival of flying beetles was low. This may constitute an additional defensive role of terpenes, which are also toxic to bark beetles at high concentrations. 5,Reduced attraction to a low ratio of ,-pinene to pheromone, as occurs when colonization densities become high and the tree's resin is largely depleted, might reflect a mechanism for preventing excessive crowding. 6,Thanasimus dubius, the predominant predator of I. pini, was also attracted to ipsdienol plus lanierone, but its response differed from that of its prey. Attraction increased across all concentrations of ,-pinene. This indicates that separate lures are needed to sample both predators and bark beetles effectively. It also provides an opportunity for maximizing pest removal while reducing adverse effects on beneficial species. This disparity further illustrates the complexity confronting natural enemies that track chemical signals to locate herbivores. [source] | |||||||||||||