Comparison of the olfactory sensitivity of two sympatric steppe grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to plant volatile compounds

Two Oedipodinae grasshopper species Oedaleus decorus asiaticus B.-Bienko and Angaracris baraben-sis Pall. (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are important pests on the natural grasslands in Inner Mongolia and often require insecticide treatment during outbreaks[1]. They both prefer overgrazed steppes and xerophytous habi-tats, and have thus been suggested as indicator species for steppe deterioration in typical steppe zones of In-ner Mongolia[2]. The two species have a sympatric distribution and sync…     

Electrophysiological responses of female Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) to synthetic host odours

Studies were conducted to investigate the electroantennographic (EAG) responses of adult female Helicoverpa armigera to a range of known and putative kairomone components. The studies show that at a given dose the EAG responses elicited by a series of straight-chain aliphatic primary alcohols were not dependent on volatility since butan-1-ol and pentan-1-ol elicited EAG responses that were significantly smaller than those elicited by hexan-1-ol. The amplitudes of responses to hexan-1-ol were found to be dose dependent with a dose of 10(-1) μmol at source in a non-volatile solvent eliciting the largest response. Similarly, changes in functionality in a range of C(6) straight-chain aliphatic compounds significantly changed the amplitude of response elicited, with aldehydes eliciting smaller responses than the related primary alcohols and saturated compounds eliciting higher responses than related unsaturated compounds. Of the range of nine host plant-produced terpenoids tested, ocimene and beta-phellandrene elicited the highest responses and of the six aromatic compounds tested phenylacetaldehyde and benzaldehyde elicited the largest responses, at the doses tested. The significance of these findings for analysis of floral odours by gas chromatography linked to electroantennography as a means of identifying kairomone components attractive to H. armigera are discussed.     

Electroantennogram responses of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, to components of host odour

Abstract. Electroantennograms (EAGs) were recorded from laboratory-reared male and female Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) in response to a range of synthetic chemicals known to be electrophysiologically-active for other biting flies. Of the eight compounds initially tested, only two - 1-octen-3-ol and 3-methylphenol - consistently elicited larger electroantennograms (EAGs) than did control treatments; 1-octen-3-ol was the most potent. EAG recovery time was inversely correlated with EAG amplitude. EAGs recorded with primary C₂-C₁₂ carbon chain-length primary aliphatic alcohols peaked at octan-1–ol with pentan-1-ol, hexan-1-ol and heptan-1-ol also eliciting EAG responses significantly larger than the controls. When different C₈ carbon chain compounds and nonane were tested: 1-octen-3-ol elicited the largest EAGs followed by, in decreasing activity, octan-1-ol, 1-bromooctane, octan-3-ol, octanal, 2-octanone, octanoic acid and nonane. The EAG response of 1-octen-3-ol increased sigmoidally with dose, with the threshold at between 2 and 20 ng, and the peak response at 200 μg on filter paper. EAGs larger than control were also elicited by entrained ox odour and ox breath. The behavioural implications are discussed.     

Identification of electrophysiologically-active compounds for the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, in human sweat extracts

Abstract. Human sweat samples were chemically fractionated into acid and non-acid components. The most abundant volatile compounds present in the fractions were identified by linked gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The acid fractions were found to be composed of a range of twenty aliphatic and three aromatic carboxylic acids ranging, on average, from 0.02 to 20 ig per ml of sweat sampled. Non-acid fractions were found to contain: 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, l-octen-3-ol, decanal, benzyl alcohol, dimethylsulphone, phenylethanol, phenol and 4-mefhylphenol, collectively amounting to 0.1 and 3 |ig per ml of sweat. The major component of sweat was found to be L-lactic acid which constituted from 1 to 5 mg/ml.
Using the intact antennae of the anthropophilic malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae Giles, the peripheral olfactory activities of compounds identified in the sweat fractions were investigated by electroantennography (EAG). Short-chain saturated carboxylic acids, methanoic, ethanoic, propanoic, butanoic, pentanoic and hexanoic acids were found to elicit significantly larger EAG responses than longer chain saturated carboxylic acids from female An.gambiae. For a given dose the largest amplitude EAG response was elicited by methanoic acid. Pentanoic acid elicited larger EAG responses than either butanoic or hexanoic acids. Two non-acidic compounds, l-octen-3-ol and 4-methylphenol, were found to elicit significant dose-dependent EAG responses from female An.gambiae. 1 -Octen-3-ol elicited larger EAG responses than 4-methylphenol for a given dose, but both compounds elicited smaller EAG responses than the same dose of C_]-C₆straight-chain aliphatic carboxylic acids. The possible behavioural significance of the EAG-active compounds identified in human sweat samples is discussed.     

EAG and behavioral responses of the wingless tea aphid Toxoptera aurantii (Homoptera: Aphididae) to tea plant volatiles

Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of the wingless tea aphid, Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer), to 14 synthetic volatiles identified from tea shoots, their partial (GLV mixture) and full (ACB mixture) blends, and fresh young tea leaves, buds, tender stems, adult tea leaves and tea aphid-damaged young leaves (ADYL) were studied by using an electroantennography (EAG) and a four-arm olfactometer. ACB elicited the largest EAG responses. Major volatile components, Z-3-hexen-1-ol, E-2-hexenal, n-hexanol, methyl salicylate and benzylalcohol, from the tea shoots were strongly EAG active. All the 4 tested tea shoot tissues also elicited significant EAG responses, with the young tea leaves being the strongest, followed by buds, tender stems and adult tea leaves. Surprisingly, ADYL elicited a weakly negative EAG response. In the olfactory assays, the fresh and tender tea leaves, as well as the individual major volatile components, e.g. Z-3-hexenyl acetate, methyl salicylate, E-2-hexen-1-ol and Z-3-hexen-1-ol, from the tender shoots (EAG-active) were all attractive. This result might indicate that the wingless tea aphids may use tea shoot volatiles as kairomone to find their optimal feeding sites, e.g. fresh tender tea shoots.     

Comparison of the olfactory sensitivity of two sympatric steppe grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to plant volatile compounds

Electroantennogram (EAG) responses of male and female Oedipodinae grasshoppers, Oedaleus decorus asiaticus B.-Bienko and Angaracris barabensis Pall to 37 plant volatile compounds were recorded. The two species have sympatric distribution and synchronous seasonal activity in Inner Mongolia Grasslands. They have different host plant preference with Oedaleus decorus asiaticus graminivorous and A. barabensis forbivorous. The EAG response profiles to 37 compounds of the two species and their both sexes were similar. Most of the green leaf volatiles elicited higher EAG responses in both species and sexes than terpenic compounds and some aromatic compounds. Strong EAG responses were elicited by 6-carbon alcohols (1-hexanol, Z-hexen-2-ol-1, E-2-hexen-1-ol, E-hexen-3-ol-1), aldehyde (E-2-hexen-1-al), ester (Z-hexen-3-yl acetate), and 7-carbon alcohols (1-heptanol) in both species and sexes. Monoterpenes with functional groups of alcohols and aldehydes were more stimulating than other monoterpenes tested. The sesquiterpenes tested elicited relatively low responses. Benzaldehyde elicited the highest responses for both species among aromatic components. Oedaleus decorus asiaticus showed higher EAG responses than A. barabensis to the green leaf volatiles, 1-decanol, 1-nonanol, 1-pentanol, hexanal, Z-hexen-3-yl acetate and to the sesquiterpenes (-)-trans-caryophyllene. Males have higher responses than females in Oedaleus decorus asiaticus. No sexual difference was observed in A. barabensis. Dose-dependent responses to six selected chemicals were observed from females. In both species, all the chemicals tested elicit EAG responses at concentration between 10^-3 mol/L and 10^-2 mol/L, except that the responses of A. barabensis to terpineol had a threshold concentration of 10-2 mol/L benzaldehyde and 1-hexanol had the highest slopes in dose curves, while 1-octen-3-ol showed the smallest slope in responses to the six chemicals tested. Comparative studies on the responses of two antennal sections and the whole antenna to six selected chemicals were carried out using females of both species. A significant EAG response was only recorded from the distal part of the antenna and not from the proximal seven segments.     

笋秀夜蛾雄蛾对性信息素化合物的电生理和行为反应

利用气质联用仪对笋秀夜蛾雌蛾性腺体粗提物成分进行了分析比对,通过触角电位(EAG)试验研究了笋秀夜蛾雄成虫对性信息素组分的电生理反应,以Y形嗅觉仪进行了室内和林间的行为生测.结果表明： 雌蛾性腺体粗提物中顺11-十六碳乙酸酯(Z11-16:Ac)和顺11-十六碳烯醇(Z11-16:OH)为笋秀夜蛾性信息素活性组分,性腺粗提物、两种化合物及其混合物均能激发雄蛾明显的EAG反应,且EAG反应值随性信息素组分浓度增加而增加.Z11-16:Ac和Z11-16:OH按57∶43配置成的二元混合物所激发的EAG反应强于同等剂量下的单一组分.室内的行为生测和林间诱捕试验结果与EAG反应基本一致,Z11-16:Ac+Z11-16:OH(57∶43)混合物对雄蛾引诱力最强,在林间单诱捕器(诱芯浓度为10⁴ng·μL^-1)的平均诱捕量达到(48.5±6.7)头.     

无翅茶蚜对茶树挥发物的触角电生理和行为反应

分别使用昆虫触角电位仪(EAG)和四臂嗅觉仪,测定了无翅茶蚜Toxopteraaurantii Boyer对14种茶树挥发性化合物、14种挥发物中"绿叶气味"组成的混合物(GLV)、14种挥发物的混合物(ACB)、以及新鲜嫩叶、芽、嫩茎、成叶和茶蚜为害嫩叶(ADYL)的EAG反应和行为反应。ACB引出最大的EAG反应值,茶树挥发物主要组分Z-3-己烯-1-醇、E-2-己烯醛、n-己醇、水杨酸甲酯和苯甲醇也引起较大的EAG反应值。4种正常茶梢的器官也引出较大的EAG反应,以嫩叶最强、依次为芽、嫩茎和成叶。有趣的是ADYL引出弱的负的EAG值。用嗅觉仪进行的生物测定表明,嫩叶以及主要的茶梢挥发性成分乙酸-Z-3-己烯酯、水杨酸甲酯、E-2-己烯-1-醇和Z-3-己烯-1-醇等也具有较强引诱活性。研究显示无翅茶蚜可能利用茶梢挥发物作为利它素而寻觅适宜的取食场所,如茶树嫩梢。     

松毛虫狭颊寄蝇对被害马尾松针叶挥发物的触角电位反应

松毛虫狭颊寄蝇Carcelia matsukarehaeShima是我国松毛虫Dendrolimus punctatus(Walke)的重要天敌。通过对被害马尾松(Pinus massonianaLamb.)针叶挥发性物质的提取、鉴定以及对松毛虫狭颊寄蝇的电生理测定,结果表明,大多数的挥发性物质,包括绿叶性挥发物以及松针特有的单萜、氧化单萜和倍半萜,对雌蝇均有明显的电生理活性,其中以顺-3-己烯-1-醇最高,长叶烯最低。雌蝇对4大类挥发性物质的平均相对触角电位反应值,以绿叶性挥发物为最高,其余依次为单萜、氧化单萜和倍半萜。     

Electroantennogram responses of the carrot fly, Psila rosae, to volatile plant components

ABSTRACT. Electroantennogram (EAG) responses of male and female carrot flies, Psila rosae F. (Diptera: Psilidae), were recorded to thirty-six volatile plant constituents. The most distinct EAG responses were obtained to: (1) the general green leaf volatiles 1-hexanol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol and cis-3-hexen-1-ol, their isomers cis-2-hexen-1-ol and trans-3-hexen-1-ol, the alcohol 1-heptanol, the ester cis-3-hexenyl acetate and the leaf aldehydes hexanal and trans-2-hexenal, and (2) from four compounds associated with the umbelliferous host plants of this insect, namely trans-methyl-iso-eugenol, β-caryophyllene, linalool and trans-2-nonenal. Higher responses were elicited by the leaf aldehydes than by the corresponding alcohols. Although the absolute amplitude of the female response was over twice that of the male, there were no differences between the relative responses to the compounds tested in both sexes, with the exception of a much higher response to the leaf aldehydes in the male. The shape of the EAG evoked by the various compounds was consistently different, with the slowest recovery being recorded for trans-methyl-iso-eugenol. While the antennal olfactory receptors of the carrot fly are sensitive to the closely related general green leaf volatiles, they are most specifically tuned to the aldehyde component of this green odour complex. In addition, the ability of this insect to discriminate between different plants may be augmented by the perception of a group of more host specific volatiles. The conformity of the responses of males and females to the compounds tested may indicate that host plant volatiles plays an additional role as an aggregation cue for both sexes.     

Electroantennogram responses of Plutella xylostella (L.), to sex pheromone components and host plant volatile semiochemicals

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a notorious insect pest of cruciferous crops worldwide. Attract-and-kill strategies to manage the DBM based on insect pheromone and plant volatile semiochemicals have been explored and partially applied in the field. However, little is known about whether the attractant effects of insect pheromone and host plant volatile semiochemicals on insects are affected by insect age or volatile concentrations. Therefore, we examined the electroantennogram (EAG) responses of both DBM males and females varying in age and body size to a range of concentrations of seven host plant volatiles and two main female sex pheromone components. Our results showed that DBM age had no influence on EAG responses to trans-2-Hexenal, trans-2-Hexenol, Heptanal, cis-3-Hexen-1-ol and Z11-16:Ald and significantly influenced the EAG responses to Z11-16:Ac and three isothiocyanates. Age and sex had interaction effects on EAG responses of DBMs to some tested semiochemicals. DBM females had significantly stronger responses than males to all tested plant volatiles, and values were enhanced with increasing concentrations. Moreover, the degree of enhancement of EAG responses in females was larger than that in males for trans-2-Hexenal, trans-2-Hexenol, cis-3-Hexen-1-ol, 2-Phenylethyl isothiocyanate and Methyl isothiocyanate treatments. Body size seemed to have no influence on EAG responses. Our results might provide a theoretical basis for optimizing attract-and-kill strategies for insect pests.     

苹褐带卷蛾成虫对主要寄主植物挥发物的触角电位反应和行为反应

【目的】苹褐带卷蛾Adoxophyes orana是危害苹果、桃、梨、枣等果树的一种重要昆虫。近年来在陕西苹果和红枣产区发生面积逐年扩大,危害日趋严重。本研究旨在明确寄主植物挥发物在苹褐带卷蛾成虫嗅觉通讯中的作用,为开发植物源引诱剂提供基础数据。【方法】利用触角电位(electroantennogram, EAG)仪测定苹褐带卷蛾2日龄未交配雌、雄成虫对51种寄主植物挥发性化合物的EAG反应;利用本实验室开发的小型蛾类昆虫嗅觉行为测试装置测定苹褐带卷蛾成虫对15种具有显著EAG反应的挥发性化合物的行为反应。【结果】EAG测试结果表明,苹褐带卷蛾成虫对不同挥发性化合物的EAG反应相对值有显著差异,雌、雄成虫对顺-3-己烯-1-醇、反-2-己烯-1-醇、1-己醇、1-庚醇、己醛、反-2-己烯醛、庚醛、辛醛、壬醛、乙酸丁酯、乙酸异戊酯和乙酸-顺-3-己烯酯的EAG反应较强。此外,雄成虫对3-甲基-1-丁醇、1-戊烯-3-醇、苯甲醛、丁酸丁酯、乙酸乙酯、三甲基巴豆酸乙酯、己酸乙酯、丙酸丁酯、异戊酸-顺-3-己烯酯、苯甲腈和柠檬腈的反应较强。在待测的51种挥发性化合物中,苹褐带卷蛾成虫对29种化...     

苹毛丽金龟对植物挥发物成分的触角电位及行为反应

为筛选适宜的苹毛丽金龟Proagopertha lucidula (Faldermann)引诱剂化学物质, 对已报道的金龟子科两性引诱剂单一组分进行了触角电位（EAG）和Y型嗅觉仪中的嗅觉反应测定。结果表明: 在10 μg刺激剂量下测试的11 种植物挥发物中, 只有顺-3-己烯-1-醇、香叶醇、茴香脑和丁香酚有明确的EAG反应值, 其他7种化合物具有弱反应值。剂量反应曲线表明, 具有明确的EAG活性的4种化合物激发的反应强度与化合物的剂量呈正相关。在Y型嗅觉仪中, 顺-3-己烯-1-醇、香叶醇、茴香脑和丁香酚4种化合物在1, 10, 100 μg剂量下的行为反应百分率都显著高于对照溶剂正己烷, 且雌雄之间无显著差异。该研究结果可为开发苹毛丽金龟田间引诱剂奠定基础。     

茶尺蠖绒茧蜂对茶梢挥发物的EAG和行为反应

为筛选有效诱集茶尺蠖绒茧蜂Apanteles sp. 的信息化合物及其组合, 选用了源于健康和虫害茶梢的27种典型挥发物的10-2 g / mL石蜡溶液、混合物1（含等量反-2-己烯醛、顺-3-己烯-1-醇和芳樟醇石蜡溶液）和混合物2（含等量反-2-己烯醛、顺-3-己烯-1-醇、2-戊烯-1-醇、反-2-戊烯醛、顺-3-己烯乙酸酯、正戊醇、正己醇和1-戊烯-3-醇石蜡溶液）, 用1~2日龄雌蜂为试虫, 测试其EAG反应, 并采用Y形嗅觉仪测定其行为反应; 另外, 选择5个茶园进行了野外生测试验。 EAG结果表明: 各味源的EAG值之间差异显著; 脂肪酸衍生物引起较强EAG反应, 其次为芳香化合物和异硫氰酸酯, 再次为倍半萜类和单萜类; 单组分中, 顺-3-己烯乙酸酯、反-2-己烯醛、水杨酸甲酯、反-2-戊烯醛、苯乙酮、苯乙醇、苯甲醇、苯甲醛和茉莉酸甲酯引起的EAG值较大, 1-戊烯-3-醇、2-戊烯-1-醇、顺-3-己烯-1-醇、香叶醇、罗勒烯、α-萜品烯、(+)-雪松醇、(+)-3-蒈烯、α-忽布烯和β-紫罗酮引起的值较小, Z-茉莉酮引起的最小; 混合物1引起的EAG值最大, 混合物2引起的较小. 使用EAG值较大的水杨酸甲酯、反-2-戊烯醛和混合物1等8种味源, 以Y形嗅觉仪进行的行为测定结果与EAG反应基本一致. 以正己烷为溶剂的10^-3, 10^-2和10^-1 g / mL水杨酸甲酯、10^-2 g / mL水杨酸甲酯和反-2-己烯醛混合溶液分别制成诱集剂, 载于橡皮头诱芯, 在浙滇闽粤茶园强烈地诱集茶尺蠖绒茧蜂、单白绵绒茧蜂和其他茧蜂, 并表现梯度效应。据此认为虫害诱发的茶梢互利素引起该蜂强烈EAG反应和趋向性, 互利素与互利素或普通植物挥发物的恰当组合可于茶园中有效诱集该蜂。     

Electroantennogram response and attraction of Anastrepha suspensa to volatiles of various sugar sources and aged sugar solutions

With the aim of finding new, sugar‐based volatile attractants for economically important tephritid fruit fly species, we used electroantennography (EAG) to quantitate olfactory responses of female Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), to volatiles of six sugar sources (refined white and brown cane sugar, coconut sugar, date sugar, date jaggery, and cane panela). Laboratory‐strain and wild flies, both sexually immature and mature, were tested for EAG responses to the volatiles of dry crystallized sugar sources and 10% (wt/vol) aqueous solutions that had aged in the laboratory for 0–7 days. In general, wild flies exhibited higher EAG responses than laboratory flies, and immature females responded more strongly than mature females. With the exception of date jaggery and cane panela, volatiles of dry sugar sources and 0‐ and 1‐day‐old solutions elicited lower EAG responses than any of the aged solutions. Most solution volatiles elicited the strongest EAG response after 2 days of aging. Of the treatments evaluated, volatiles of the 5‐day‐old date jaggery solution elicited the highest‐amplitude EAG responses (39%) in A. suspensa females. On the basis of the latter, we tested the attraction response of mature and immature females to date‐jaggery solutions aged over 2 and 4 days in two‐choice flight tunnel bioassays. With both mature and immature females, the 2‐day‐old solution was more attractive than the 4‐day‐old jaggery solution, but significantly more mature females (70% of captures) were attracted to 2‐day‐old jaggery solution. We discuss our results with respect to the improvement of fruit fly lures and attractants by incorporating elements from aged date‐jaggery sugar.     

Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of a parasitic wasp to plant volatiles induced by two leaf miner species

In the present study, Y-tube olfactometric assays demonstrated that headspace volatile extracts collected from leaf miner-damaged, or artificially damaged, bean plants were more attractive to naive females of the parasitoid insect Opius dissitus than those collected from healthy plants. Headspace extracts from both Liriomyza huidobrensis and Liriomyza sativae second-instar larvae-damaged beans were analyzed by coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). Of nine EAD-active volatiles identified, (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, (3Z)-hexenyl acetate, (syn)-2-methylpropanal oxime, and (syn)-2-methylbutanal oxime were the most abundant compounds that evoked significant electroantennogram (EAG) responses. Compounds (3Z)-hexen-1-ol, (anti)-2-methylbutanal oxime, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and (3E,7E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene also elicited clear EAG responses but were present in smaller amounts. Choice experiments in a Y-tube olfactometer indicated that synthetic versions of (3Z)-hexen-1-ol, 2-methylpropanal oxime, 2-methylbutanal oxime, 3-methylbutanal oxime, linalool, (E,E)-alpha-farnesene, and (3E,7E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene were attractive individually, while (3Z)-hexenyl acetate and (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene were unattractive at concentrations similar to those obtained from the headspace collection. Moreover, a blend of nine EAD-active volatiles was significantly more attractive relative to hexane (solvent). A mixture of oximes, tereponids, and green leaf volatiles may facilitate host location by female O. dissitus.     

Effects of age, sex and hunger on the antennal olfactory sensitivity of tsetse flies

Abstract The effects of age on electroantennogram (EAG) responses were investigated in male and female Glossina morsitans morsitans and comparative studies on the effects of starvation and sex on the EAG in G.m. morsitans, G.austeni, G.tachinoides and G.fuscipes fuscipes were made. Stimuli were the vapours of l-octen-3-ol, 4-heptanone, 3-nonanone and acetone. EAG decreased with age in both sexes of G.m.morsitans , responses in 5-day-old flies already being significantly lower than those in 1-day-old flies. In G.m.morsitans and G.tachinoides , EAG responses of males were higher than those of females. In G.austeni and G.f.fuscipes , however, the reverse was found. With increasing starvation EAG sensitivity increased in both sexes of G.m.morsitans and G.tachinoides. In G.austeni and in G.f.fuscipes no clear effects of starvation were observed. Response spectra of the individual species to the four odour substances did not change with increasing hunger. It is concluded that receptor sensitivity may be modulated depending on the insect's needs. Possible mechanisms of regulation and significance of this modulation are discussed.     

Role of plant volatiles in host plant location of the leafminer, Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Abstract The role of plant volatiles in host plant location of the leafminer Liriomyza sativae Blanchard was studied. Four types of antennal sensilla were identified on the funiculus by scanning electron microscopy: trichoid, basiconic, clavate and grooved sensilla. An olfactory pit, containing groups of sensilla, was present on the ventral side of the funiculus. No sexual difference was detected in sensilla diversity and distribution. In behavioural assays, both males and females were attracted by the odour of the bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. They had distinct EAG responses to the bean odour. No significant sexual difference was found in behaviour or EAG responses.
Electroantennograms were recorded from female L. sativae to 14 plant volatile compounds. The most distinct EAG responses were obtained for: (1) the general green leaf volatiles 1-hexanol (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, (E)-3-hexen-1-ol and its isomers, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, the acetate (E)-3-hexenylacetate and the aldehyde hexanal; and (2) limonene, a compound associated with tomato, which is a key host plant of this insect. Other volatile compounds associated with host plants, such as α-pinene, myrcene, β-caryophyllene, and eugenol did not elicit responses. The ability of this insect to locate a host plant appears to be augmented by the perception of a combination of host-specific and general green leaf volatiles. A modification of the EAG recording method of Dipteran species was provided.     

Gas-chromatography and electroantennogram analysis of saturated hydrocarbons of cruciferous host plants and host larval body extracts of Plutella xylostella for behavioural manipulation of Cotesia plutellae

Saturated hydrocarbons (SHC) of five cruciferous host plants viz., cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, knol khol and Brussels sprout and the larvae of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella reared on these host plants were identified through gas-chromatography. The hydrocarbon profile of host plants and larval body extract of DBM reared on respective host plants revealed a wide variation in quantity as well as quality. Long chain hydrocarbons C26-C30 were detected in all the extracts. In electroantennogram (EAG) studies, SHCs at 10(-3) g dose elicited differential EAG response in the antennal receptors of gravid Cotesia plutellae females. Tricosane (C23) and hexacosane (C26) elicited 10-fold increased EAG response compared to control stimulus. Long chain hydrocarbons C27, C28 and C29 elicited, 6-7 fold increased responses. The sensitivity of antenna was 4-5 folds for C25, C14, C24, C15 and C30, while the short chain hydrocarbons elicited 2-3 fold increased EAG responses. Dual choice flight orientation experiments in a wind tunnel revealed that the gravid C. plutellae females preferred the odour of C16, C26, C29, C15, C21, C23, C30, C27, C24 and C22 as 60-70% females oriented and landed on SHC treated substrate compared to control odour, while the odour of eicosane (C20), pentacosane (C25) and octacosane (C28) were not preferred by the females.     

Electroantennogram responses of a parasitic wasp, Microplitis croceipes, to host-related volatile and anthropogenic compounds

The parasitic wasp Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) showed its own characteristic electroantennogram (EAG) response profiles to 13 host‐related (cis‐3‐hexenol, α‐pinene (R)‐(+)‐limonene (S)‐(–)‐limonene, trans‐β‐ocimene (±)‐linalool, (–)‐trans‐caryophyllene, α‐humulene, nerolidol, trans‐nerolidol, cis‐nerolidol, methyl jasmonate and indole) and four anthropogenic (2‐diisopropylaminoethanol, 2,2′‐thiodiethanol, 2‐methyl‐5‐nitroaniline and cyclohexanone) volatile compounds. These profiles were similar between males and females except for 2‐diisopropylaminoethanol, which elicited significantly larger EAG responses in males. Among the compounds tested, cis‐3‐hexenol, linalool and cyclohexanone elicited the largest EAG responses. EAG responses were not influenced by the age of wasps between 1 and 13 days after emergence. EAG responses were dose‐dependent, and highly EAG‐active compounds elicited significant EAG responses with less than 10 μg of the compounds at source. Quantification of compounds released from an odour cartridge indicates that release rate is highly dependent on the chemical nature of stimuli, showing up to 10 000‐fold differences in the amount released between different compounds when the same amount was loaded in the odour cartridge. Wasps having undergone a behavioural training regime to be attracted to either cyclohexanone or methyl jasmonate did not show any differences in EAG responses from those of untrained wasps.