Analyses of volatiles produced by the African fruit fly species complex (Diptera,Tephritidae)

Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis anonae and Ceratitis rosa are polyphagous agricultural pests originating from the African continent. The taxonomy of this group (the so-called Ceratitis FAR complex) is unclear. To clarify the taxonomic relationships, male and female-produced volatiles presumably involved in pre-mating communication were studied using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) followed by multivariate analysis, and gas chromatography combined with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). GC×GC-TOFMS analyses revealed sex specific differences in produced volatiles. Male volatiles are complex mixtures that differ both qualitatively and quantitatively but share some common compounds. GC-EAD analyses of male volatiles revealed that the antennal sensitivities of females significantly differ in the studied species. No female volatiles elicited antennal responses in males. The results show clear species-specific differences in volatile production and provide complementary information for the distinct delimitation of the putative species by chemotaxonomic markers.     

Role of odour compounds in the attraction of gamete vectors in endophytic Epichloë fungi

Grass-infecting Epichlo? endophytes (Ascomycota, Calvicipitaceae) depend on Botanophila flies for gamete transfer, while fly larvae feed and develop on the fertilized fungal fruiting structures. Flies are known to be attracted by volatile signals, but the exact mechanisms of chemical communication and the degree of specialization are unknown. Headspace samples collected from five different Epichlo? species were analysed with respect to physiologically active substances using Botanophila flies. In field bioassays using synthetic compounds, their attractiveness and the specificity of the Epichlo?-Botanophila attraction were investigated. The identification of a new natural product, methyl (Z)-3-methyldodec-2-enoate, attracting Botanophila flies is reported here, and chokol K is confirmed as an attractive compound. Different blends of the two compounds attracted Botanophila flies under field conditions, but the three fly taxa present at the study site showed no preference for specific blends of volatiles. Chemical communication in the Epichlo?-Botanophila system relies on a few specific compounds, known as a communication system with 'private channels'. Although ratios of emitted compounds vary in different Epichlo? species, this seems not to lead to specialized attraction of Botanophila flies. Low selective pressure for specialization may have maintained a more generalist interaction between fungi and flies.     

Female sex pheromone of Sesamia cretica: chemical and behavioural evidence for a three-component blend

The female‐produced sex pheromone of the Durra stem borer, Sesamia cretica (Lederer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), had been previously characterized as a 75:25 blend of (Z)‐9‐tetradecenol (Z9‐14:OH) and (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z9‐14:OAc) based on field trapping experiments. The low attraction of this blend in the field led us to further investigate the sex pheromone of this pest. Coupled gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) analysis of female pheromone gland extracts consistently revealed three EAD‐active compounds. According to their GC retention times, mass spectra, and comparative EAG analyses with authentic standards, two of these compounds were found to be the previously reported components Z9‐14:OH and Z9‐14:OAc, whereas a third compound was identified as (Z)‐11‐hexadecenol (Z11‐16:OH). In wind tunnel experiments, the highest male responses were elicited by ratios of Z9‐14:OH, Z9‐14:OAc, and Z11‐16:OH, ranging from 90:1:9 to 90:5:5. In field tests, the 90:1:9 ratio of the blend loaded onto rubber septum dispensers was significantly more effective than single‐component, two‐component, and any other ratio of the three‐component blend. The greater effectiveness of this blend resulted in a more accurate detection of S. cretica flight activity compared with the previously reported two‐component blend.     

Reidentification of the female sex pheromone of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella: evidence for a four-component pheromone blend

Pheromone gland extracts from calling female Plodia interpunctella contained at least seven compounds that consistently elicited electroantennographic responses from male antennae upon gas chromatographic analysis. Three of these compounds were found to be the previously identified gland constituents, i.e., (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9,E12-14:OAc), (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienal (Z9,E12-14:Ald) and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienol (Z9,E12-14:OH). A fourth EAD-active compound was identified as (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:OAc). The homologue (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:OAc) was also identified in the extracts, but showed no EAD activity. The identity of all five compounds was confirmed by comparison of GC retention times and mass spectra with those of synthetic standards. In flight tunnel tests there were no significant differences in response of male P. interpunctella to the bait containing all four EAD-active compounds and the responses to female gland extacts. A behavioural assay of different two-compound blends in the flight tunnel showed that only addition of the corresponding aldehyde to the major pheromone component Z9,E12-14:OAc raised the male response. A subtractive assay, however, revealed that the exclusion of any of the compounds from the complete four-compound blend reduced its activity significantly. We thus conclude that the female-produced sex pheromone of P. interpunctella consists of at least four components, i.e., Z9,E12-14:OAc, Z9,E12-14:Ald, Z9,E12-14:OH and Z9-14:OAc.In a field trapping test performed in a storage facility, the four-component blend attracted significantly more males of P. interpunctella than traps baited with Z9,E12-14:OAc alone. In contrast, the highest number of Ephestia kuehniella males was found in the traps baited with this major component, suggesting that the secondary pheromone components contribute to the species specificity of the blend.     

长足大竹象成虫体表信息化学物质的提取和鉴定

为了确定我国南方竹林主要害虫长足大竹象Cyrtotrachelus buqueti Guerin-Meneville雌虫是否存在诱引雄虫的化学信息素以及所释放的相关化学信息素的成分, 本研究利用风洞和“Y”型嗅觉仪测试到长足大竹象雄虫对雌虫及雌虫体表提取化合物具有正趋向行为反应, 随后用GC-EAD和GC-MS对雌虫体表提取化合物进行了分析。在GC-EAD分析时发现雄虫触角对雌虫体表粗提液和体表物质标准品化合物的触角电位反应时有5个GC峰有电生理活性; 通过质谱法确定这5个电生理活性GC峰的化学成分分别为苯酚、己酸乙酯、2-壬酮、壬醛和十五酸甲酯。风洞和GC-EAD分析表明, 这5种成分的标准品化合物对长足大竹象雄虫具有诱引生物活性和触角电生理活性。结果说明长足大竹象雌虫体表粗提液中存在的苯酚、己酸乙酯、2-壬酮、壬醛和十五酸甲酯是长足大竹象成虫的化学信息素物质。     

红火蚁告警信息素的GC-EAD分析

[背景]2-乙基-3,6-二甲基吡嗪是红火蚁告警信息素的主要成分,本研究旨在分离、鉴定红火蚁工蚁浸提液中告警信息素成分,分析红火蚁工蚁对告警信息素合成样品混合物的电生理反应。[方法]200 g红火蚁工蚁的正己烷浸提液过硅胶柱,正己烷—丙酮体系洗脱,气相色谱（GC）和气相色谱—质谱联用（GC-MS）分析检测浸提液中含告警信息素的流分,气相色谱—触角电位联用仪（GC-EAD）分析红火蚁工蚁对2-乙基-3,5（6）-二甲基吡嗪混合物的电生理活性。[结果]红火蚁工蚁正己烷浸提液硅胶柱层析分离能够得到含2-乙基-3,6-二甲基吡嗪的流分,GC-MS分析的保留时间在11.45 min。经过GC-EAD分析,发现红火蚁工蚁对2-乙基-3,5（6）-二甲基吡嗪混合物有显著的电生理反应。[结论与意义]红火蚁工蚁对2-乙基-3,6-二甲基吡嗪的电生理反应比2-乙基-3,5-二甲基吡嗪高。     

Sexual communication in the termite Prorhinotermes simplex (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) mediated by a pheromone from female tergal glands

We studied the post-flight behavior and sex attraction in imagoes of the termite Prorhinotermes simplex (Rhinotermitidae, Prorhinotermitinae). Pairing is mediated by the secretion from tergal glands, exposed by females in a calling posture and highly attractive to males. Analysis of extracts of these glands by means of gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection indicated a chromatographic area corresponding to an intense physiological response of males. The retention characteristics of this area proved to be identical with those of (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol. Electroantennographic and behavioral assays revealed that units of picograms of the compound represent a stimulus qualitatively and quantitatively equivalent to one female tergal gland. Thus, we hypothesize that (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol is a major component of the female sex pheromone in P. simplex.     

枸杞红瘿蚊对寄主植物挥发物的电生理和行为反应

植物挥发物是植食性昆虫定位寄主的重要信息物质。枸杞红瘿蚊是宁夏枸杞的主要成灾害虫,野外发现其雌虫对枸杞幼嫩花蕾具有更强的产卵趋性。为明确枸杞红瘿蚊对枸杞不同阶段花蕾挥发物的选择差异性,解析吸引其选择产卵的关键信息化学物质,采用顶空固相微萃取法和气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS),系统研究枸杞幼嫩花蕾和成熟花蕾挥发物的成分差异,选择幼嫩花蕾挥发物中的特有成分及其与成熟花蕾挥发物共有成分共8种作为候选挥发物;通过气相色谱-触角电位联用仪(GC-EAD)和Y型嗅觉仪,测定枸杞红瘿蚊对上述挥发物的电生理和行为反应,筛选关键活性挥发物。结果显示: 枸杞幼嫩花蕾和成熟花蕾挥发物的种类和释放量存在明显差异;8种化合物能激发枸杞红瘿蚊产生持续触角电生理反应,其中,有5种[3-蒈烯、莰烯、萜品油烯、d-柠檬烯和(+)-α-蒎烯]能刺激枸杞红瘿蚊产生显著趋向或躲避行为。利用枸杞挥发物设计枸杞红瘿蚊引诱剂或忌避剂,可为田间安全防控红瘿蚊提供新的途径。     

杨小舟蛾雌蛾性信息素活性成分的鉴定

【目的】鉴定杨小舟蛾Micromelalopha sieversi雌蛾性信息素活性成分的结构信息。【方法】采用正己烷浸提的方法提取杨小舟蛾性成熟处女雌蛾性腺中的活性成分;利用气相色谱-触角电位联用(GC-EAD)技术对其活性成分进行定位;性腺提取物与4-甲基-1,2,4-三唑啉-3,5-二酮(MTAD)进行微量化学反应,获得衍生物;利用气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS)技术分别对性腺提取物及MTAD衍生物进行质谱特征离子分析。【结果】GC-EAD结果显示,杨小舟蛾雄蛾触角对雌蛾性信息素腺体提取物中的一种成分有较好的反应;GC-MS分析结果表明,能引起雄蛾触角电生理反应的成分为十八碳的不饱和醛;MTAD衍生物的GC-MS结果显示,该活性成分的两个双键分别位于碳链的13和15位。【结论】本研究鉴定出杨小舟蛾雌蛾性信息素活性成分的平面结构为13,15-十八碳二烯醛,但双键的立体构型有待合成标准化合物进一步鉴定。本研究为杨小舟蛾性信息素备选化合物的筛选提供了方向,为信息素的结构确证奠定了基础。     

Do changes in floral odor cause speciation in sexually deceptive orchids?

 We investigated differences in floral odor between two sympatric, closely related sexually deceptive orchid species, Ophrys fusca and O. bilunulata, which are specifically pollinated by Andrena nigroaenea and A. flavipes, respectively. We identified biologically active compounds by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection using antennae of the pollinator bees. Alkanes, alkenes, aldehydes, and farnesyl hexanoate released electroantennographic reactions. The relative amounts of alkanes were mostly the same between the two orchid species, whereas the relative amounts of most alkenes were significantly different. On the grounds of these findings and behavioral experiments conducted in earlier studies, we suggest that the difference in relative amounts of alkenes is responsible for the selective attraction of pollinators in the two orchids. Speciation in this group of Ophrys orchids may be brought about by changes in pattern of alkenes, which lead to attraction of a different pollinator species and therefore reproductive isolation. Received November 22, 2001; accepted February 21, 2002 Published online: November 7, 2002 Addresses of the authors: Florian P. Schiestl* and Manfred Ayasse, Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna. *Present address: Geobotanical Institute ETH, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008 Zürich. (e-mail: schiestl@geobot.umnw.ethz.ch)