Effect of fruit volatiles from native host plants on the sexual performance of Anastrepha fraterculus sp. 1 males

BACHMANN, GUILLERMO ENRIQUE; BELLIARD, SILVINA ANAHÍ; DEVESCOVI, FRANCISCO; NUSSENBAUM, ANA LAURA; FERNÁNDEZ, PATRICIA CARINA; VERA, MARÍA TERESA; RUIZ, MARÍA JOSEFINA; SEGURA, DIEGO FERNANDO

Insects

MDPI

Año: 2023

2075-4450

Anastrepha fraterculus sp.1 males are sexually stimulated by Psidium guajava fruit (guava) aroma. The fact that guava is a native host could explain this phenomenon, as other, exotic hosts do not enhance male sexual behavior. Here we analyze the effects of fruit exposure on male sexual performance of A. fraterculus sp. 1 using other native hosts, under the hypothesis that male improvement derives from a common evolutionary history between A. fraterculus sp. 1 and its native hosts. Four species were evaluated: Hexachlamys edulis, Juglans australis, Psidium cattleianum, and Acca sellowiana. Guava was used as a positive control. Males were exposed to fruit from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, from day 8 to day 11 post-emergence. On day 12, we evaluated their calling behavior and mating success. Both guava and P. cattleianum enhanced calling behavior. Mating success was enhanced only by guava and a trend was found for P. cattleianum. Interestingly, the two hosts belong to the Psidium genus. A volatile analysis is planned to identify the compounds responsible for this phenomenon. The other native fruits did not improve the sexual behavior of males. These results are discussed in the context of the SIT against A. fraterculus sp. 1.