Changes in the cuticular profiles from males of Ceratitis capitata by exposition to essential oils

JOFRÉ BARUD F; LÓPEZ S; FERESIN GE; LÓPEZ ML

Congreso; XXXI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2013

Cuticular hydrocarbons are compounds present on the epicuticle of all insects. They have an important role for sex recognition and mate choice as a contact pheromone. Previous experiments showed that exposure of sterile males of Ceratitis capitata (medfly) to the essential oils of Baccharis spartioides and Schinus polygama improved their mating success. Components of essential oils at the vapor phase might be ad/absorpted at the cuticle during the exposition treatment. We analyzed the chemical profiles of medfly males treated with the essential oils of B. spartioides and S. polygama. Twenty five-treated (exposed to oil) and 25 untreated males (unexposed) were placed in small amber glass vials and immobilized at -18 ° C. Cuticular hydrocarbons were extracted with 2 ml of hexane for 5 minutes. Each extract was concentrated by a constant flow of nitrogen before analysis by GC-MS. Cuticular profile from treated males was different from untreated males. Treated males showed a decreased content of hydrocarbons of low molecular weight compared to unexposed males. Interestingly, some monoterpenes hydrocarbons from the essential oils appear in the treated males. The changes observed might be implicated in females? choice. Acknowledgements: ProCEM-San Juan provided C. capitata individuals. ANPCyT (PICT´07-01468) and CONICET (PIP´08-0407) funded the study. Área temática: BT-San Juan