Attraction of the fungus gnat Bradysia optata to cantharidin

The toxic terpenoid cantharidin has been reported to attract some specimens of undetermined fungus gnats. In order to investigate this phenomenon, the fungus gnat Bradysia optata Rudzinski, 1994 (Diptera: Sciaridae) was reared and its attraction to cantharidin was registered. Significant attractivity of the substance to males could be confirmed with both sticky baits in a greenhouse and an olfactometer under laboratory conditions. Ingestion of the toxic compound for chemical defence, which has been shown for some so-called canthariphilous insects, was not observed. However, a high toxicity of cantharidin for the attracted species B. optata could be demonstrated. These unusual findings could be the result of the mycetophagous sciarids mistaking the terpenoid for certain structurally related fungal metabolites. These secondary metabolites might indicate a convenient meeting-place for mating and oviposition.