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Caselli A, Favaro R, Petacchi R, Valicenti M, Angeli S. The Cuticular Hydrocarbons of Dasineura Oleae Show Differences Between Sex, Adult Age and Mating Status. J Chem Ecol 2023; 49:369-383. [PMID: 37093418 PMCID: PMC10611616 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01428-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
In insects, cuticular lipids prevent water loss and act as semiochemicals. Because of their ecological function, the profile change across the insects' sex and development offers insight into insect biology and possible tools for pest management. Here, the first work on cecidomyiid cuticular extracts is proposed considering Dasineura oleae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) males and females at different adult ages (0-12 h, 12-24 h, 24-36 h) and distinct sexual conditions (virgin and mated). A set of 49 compounds were recorded (12 alkanes, 1 monomethyl alkane, 11 fatty acids, 4 esters, 1 aldehyde, 1 allylbenzene, 1 amine, 1 flavonoid, 1 ketone, 1 phenol, 1 steradiene, 1 sterol, 1 terpene, 1 triterpene and 11 unknown compounds), and 18 of them showed significant differences between groups. Among alkanes, hexacosane (nC26) exhibited a decreasing trend from the youngest to the oldest females, while pentacosane (nC25) and nonacosane (nC29) showed a decreasing trend from 0 to 12 h to 12-24 h virgin females. In addition, nonadecane (nC19) was significantly more abundant in the youngest males compared to older males and females. The alkanes nC25, nC26 and nC29 have been reported to be age-related also in other dipterans, while nC19 has been described as gender-specific chemical cue for platygastrid parasitoids. Further behavioural trials and analyses are required to assign the specific ecological roles to the characterized compounds. Our results may contribute to develop new low-impact control strategies relying on the manipulation of D. oleae's chemical communication (e.g. disruption of mating or species recognition). HIGHLIGHTS: • Cuticular hydrocarbons are often involved in dipteran intraspecific communication. • We explored the cuticular profile of D. oleae at different age, sex, mating condition. • Five alkanes and one mono-methyl alkane showed differences among groups. • Linoleic acid is the most abundant compound in virgins, absent in mated insects. • Eleven compounds disappear in mated insects, but were present in all virgins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Caselli
- Center of Plant Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, Pisa, 56127, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Favaro
- Center of Plant Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, Pisa, 56127, Italy
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 1, Bolzano, 39100, Italy
| | - Ruggero Petacchi
- Center of Plant Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, Pisa, 56127, Italy
| | - Marta Valicenti
- Center of Plant Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, Pisa, 56127, Italy
| | - Sergio Angeli
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 1, Bolzano, 39100, Italy
- Competence Centre for Plant Health, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 1, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
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2
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Butterworth NJ, Wallman JF, Johnston NP, Dawson BM, Sharp-Heward J, McGaughran A. The blowfly Chrysomya latifrons inhabits fragmented rainforests, but shows no population structure. Oecologia 2023; 201:703-719. [PMID: 36773072 PMCID: PMC10038970 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05333-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and deforestation are causing rainforests to become increasingly fragmented, placing them at heightened risk of biodiversity loss. Invertebrates constitute the greatest proportion of this biodiversity, yet we lack basic knowledge of their population structure and ecology. There is a compelling need to develop our understanding of the population dynamics of a wide range of rainforest invertebrates so that we can begin to understand how rainforest fragments are connected, and how they will cope with future habitat fragmentation and climate change. Blowflies are an ideal candidate for such research because they are widespread, abundant, and can be easily collected within rainforests. We genotyped 188 blowflies (Chrysomya latifrons) from 15 isolated rainforests and found high levels of gene flow, a lack of genetic structure between rainforests, and low genetic diversity - suggesting the presence of a single large genetically depauperate population. This highlights that: (1) the blowfly Ch. latifrons inhabits a ~ 1000 km stretch of Australian rainforests, where it plays an important role as a nutrient recycler; (2) strongly dispersing flies can migrate between and connect isolated rainforests, likely carrying pollen, parasites, phoronts, and pathogens along with them; and (3) widely dispersing and abundant insects can nevertheless be genetically depauperate. There is an urgent need to better understand the relationships between habitat fragmentation, genetic diversity, and adaptive potential-especially for poorly dispersing rainforest-restricted insects, as many of these may be particularly fragmented and at highest risk of local extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Butterworth
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - James F Wallman
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Nikolas P Johnston
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Blake M Dawson
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Joshua Sharp-Heward
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Angela McGaughran
- Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
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Pinto J, Magni PA, O’Brien RC, Dadour IR. Chasing Flies: The Use of Wingbeat Frequency as a Communication Cue in Calyptrate Flies (Diptera: Calyptratae). INSECTS 2022; 13:822. [PMID: 36135523 PMCID: PMC9504876 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The incidental sound produced by the oscillation of insect wings during flight provides an opportunity for species identification. Calyptrate flies include some of the fastest and most agile flying insects, capable of rapid changes in direction and the fast pursuit of conspecifics. This flight pattern makes the continuous and close recording of their wingbeat frequency difficult and limited to confined specimens. Advances in sound editor and analysis software, however, have made it possible to isolate low amplitude sounds using noise reduction and pitch detection algorithms. To explore differences in wingbeat frequency between genera and sex, 40 specimens of three-day old Sarcophaga crassipalpis, Lucilia sericata, Calliphora dubia, and Musca vetustissima were individually recorded in free flight in a temperature-controlled room. Results showed significant differences in wingbeat frequency between the four species and intersexual differences for each species. Discriminant analysis classifying the three carrion flies resulted in 77.5% classified correctly overall, with the correct classification of 82.5% of S. crassipalpis, 60% of C. dubia, and 90% of L. sericata, when both mean wingbeat frequency and sex were included. Intersexual differences were further demonstrated by male flies showing significantly higher variability than females in three of the species. These observed intergeneric and intersexual differences in wingbeat frequency start the discussion on the use of the metric as a communication signal by this taxon. The success of the methodology demonstrated differences at the genus level and encourages the recording of additional species and the use of wingbeat frequency as an identification tool for these flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Pinto
- Discipline of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Paola A. Magni
- Discipline of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- King’s Centre, Murdoch University Singapore, Singapore 169662, Singapore
| | - R. Christopher O’Brien
- Forensic Sciences Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Ian R. Dadour
- Discipline of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Source Certain, Wangara DC, WA 6947, Australia
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Li DT, Pei XJ, Ye YX, Wang XQ, Wang ZC, Chen N, Liu TX, Fan YL, Zhang CX. Cuticular Hydrocarbon Plasticity in Three Rice Planthopper Species. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147733. [PMID: 34299353 PMCID: PMC8304831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are organic compounds of the surface lipid layer, which function as a barrier against water loss and xenobiotic penetration, while also serving as chemical signals. Plasticity of CHC profiles can vary depending upon numerous biological and environmental factors. Here, we investigated potential sources of variation in CHC profiles of Nilaparvata lugens, Laodelphax striatellus and Sogatella furcifera, which are considered to be the most important rice pests in Asia. CHC profiles were quantified by GC/MS, and factors associated with variations were explored by conducting principal component analysis (PCA). Transcriptomes were further compared under different environmental conditions. The results demonstrated that CHC profiles differ among three species and change with different developmental stages, sexes, temperature, humidity and host plants. Genes involved in cuticular lipid biosynthesis pathways are modulated, which might explain why CHC profiles vary among species under different environments. Our study illustrates some biological and ecological variations in modifying CHC profiles, and the underlying molecular regulation mechanisms of the planthoppers in coping with changes of environmental conditions, which is of great importance for identifying potential vulnerabilities relating to pest ecology and developing novel pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Ting Li
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Xiao-Jin Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest AandF University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yu-Xuan Ye
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xin-Qiu Wang
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhe-Chao Wang
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Nan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Tong-Xian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest AandF University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yong-Liang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest AandF University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Chuan-Xi Zhang
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
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Moore HE, Hall MJR, Drijfhout FP, Cody RB, Whitmore D. Cuticular hydrocarbons for identifying Sarcophagidae (Diptera). Sci Rep 2021; 11:7732. [PMID: 33833323 PMCID: PMC8032779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87221-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition and quantity of insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) can be species-specific as well as sexually dimorphic within species. CHC analysis has been previously used for identification and ageing purposes for several insect orders including true flies (Diptera). Here, we analysed the CHC chemical profiles of adult males and females of eleven species of flesh flies belonging to the genus Sarcophaga Meigen (Sarcophagidae), namely Sarcophaga africa (Wiedemann), S. agnata Rondani, S. argyrostoma Robineau-Desvoidy, S. carnaria (Linnaeus), S. crassipalpis Macquart, S. melanura Meigen, S. pumila Meigen, S. teretirostris Pandellé, S. subvicina Rohdendorf, S. vagans Meigen and S. variegata (Scopoli). Cuticular hydrocarbons extracted from pinned specimens from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London using a customised extraction technique were analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Time of preservation prior to extraction ranged between a few weeks to over one hundred years. CHC profiles (1) allowed reliable identification of a large majority of specimens, (2) differed between males and females of the same species, (3) reliably associated males and females of the same species, provided sufficient replicates (up to 10) of each sex were analysed, and (4) identified specimens preserved for up to over one hundred years prior to extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Moore
- Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, Wiltshire, SN6 8LA, UK.
| | - Martin J R Hall
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Falko P Drijfhout
- Chemical Ecology Group, School of Chemical and Physical Science, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, England, UK
| | - Robert B Cody
- JEOL USA, Inc. 11 Dearborn Rd., Peabody, MA, 01969, USA
| | - Daniel Whitmore
- Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Rosenstein 1, 70191, Stuttgart, Germany
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Butterworth NJ, White TE, Byrne PG, Wallman JF. Love at first flight: wing interference patterns are species-specific and sexually dimorphic in blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Evol Biol 2021; 34:558-570. [PMID: 33483961 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Wing interference patterns (WIPs) are stable structural colours displayed on insect wings which are only visible at specific viewing geometries and against certain backgrounds. These patterns are widespread among flies and wasps, and growing evidence suggests that they may function as species- and sex-specific mating cues in a range of taxa. As such, it is expected that WIPs should differ between species and show clear sexual dimorphisms. However, the true extent to which WIPs vary between species, sexes and individuals is currently unclear, as previous studies have only taken a qualitative approach, without considering how WIPs might be perceived by the insect. Here, we perform the first quantitative analysis of inter- and intra-specific variation in WIPs across seven Australian species of the blowfly genus Chrysomya. Using multispectral digital imaging and a tentative model of blowfly colour vision, we provide quantitative evidence that WIPs are species-specific, highlight that the extent of divergence is greater in males than in females and demonstrate sexual dimorphisms in several species. These data suggest that WIPs have diversified substantially in blowflies as a result of either sexual or ecological selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Butterworth
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas E White
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillip G Byrne
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - James F Wallman
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
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Mate attraction, chemical defense, and competition avoidance in the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina pacifica. CHEMOECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-020-00331-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA major hypothesis for the evolution of chemical signals is that pheromones arise from non-communicative precursor compounds. However, data supporting this hypothesis are rare, primarily because the original functions of the antecedent compounds often have been lost. A notable exception, however, is the parasitoid wasp species Leptopilina heterotoma, whose compound (−)-iridomyrmecin is used as a defensive secretion, a cue for females to avoid competition with con- and hetero-specific females, and as the primary component of the females’ sex pheromone. To better understand the evolution of sex pheromones from defensive compounds, we examined the chemical ecology of L. pacifica, the sister species of L. heterotoma. Here, we show that L. pacifica also produces a defensive secretion containing a species-specific mixture of mostly iridoid compounds. However, the composition of the secretion is more complex than in L. heterotoma, and iridomyrmecin is only a minor component. Moreover, in contrast to L. heterotoma, conspecific female competitors were not avoided by female subjects, and a role of the iridoids in the female sex pheromone of L. pacifica can be excluded, as only the females’ cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) resulted in the elicitation of courtship by males. Although closely related, the two sister species show substantial differences in the use of the defensive secretion for communicative purposes. Variation in pheromone usage in this genus still presents a conundrum, highlighting the need for additional studies to understand the selective forces shaping the evolution of pheromone composition.
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