Effect Of Plant Chemicals On The Sexual Behavior Of A Phytophagous Tephritidae Fly

M. T. VERA; BACHMANN, G.E.; FERNÁNDEZ, PATRICIA C.; KALINOVÁ, B.; DEVESCOVI, F.; R. BRIZOVA; HOSKOVEK, M.; J. RUIZ; CLADERA, J.L.; D. F. SEGURA

Congreso; 32nd Annual Meeting of the International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE) and the 4th Congress of the Latin American Association of Chemical Ecology (ALAEQ) - 1st Joint Meeting; 2016

Tephritidaeflies have evolved a wide range of mating systems. In polyphagous species, inwhich female location is less predictable, males aggregate in groups (termedleks) and release a sex pheromone to which females are attracted. Plantcompounds have been found to affect sexual communication in some of thesespecies. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of fruitvolatiles on male sexual communication through chemical and physical signals inthe South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, an important fruit pest.First, we exposed males to different fruit species and addressed if thismodified their sexual performance. We found that guava fruit volatilespositively affected male sexual performance, whereas other fruit had no sucheffect. Then, we focused on guava and tested if exposure to this fruit affectedthe release rate of key components of male borne volatiles or the cuticlechemical profile. Guava volatile exposure enhanced male calling behavior andthe amount of (E,E)-α-farnesene,anastrephin, epianastrephin and suspensolide released in guava-exposed males.Exposure to an artificial blend comprised of a subset of seven syntheticcompounds present in guava fruit also enhanced mating success. Yet, thechemical profiles of male volatiles and cuticle extracts did not differ betweenexposed and non-exposed males. Finally, we addressed whether mating with anexposed male provided the female a direct benefit. Results showed that femalesthat mated with guava exposed males have higher fecundity than those that matedwith non-exposed males. In all, these results contribute to increase ourunderstanding of the reproductive system of A. fraterculus in a wider context,in which the host plant seems to have a significant role. In addition, ourfindings have implications for the management of this pest species through thesterile insect technique by providing tools to enhance male sexual performanceof sterile males.