Beneath the blooms: Unearthing the effect of rhizospheric bacteria on floral signals and pollinator preferences

The relationship between plants and pollinators is known to be influenced by ecological interactions with other community members. While most research has focused on aboveground communities affecting plant-pollinator interactions, it is increasingly recognized that soil-dwelling organisms can directly or indirectly impact these interactions. Although studies have examined the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on floral traits, there is a gap in research regarding similar effects associated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), particularly concerning floral scent. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of the PGPR Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on the floral traits of wild (Solanum habrochaites, Solanum pimpinellifolium and Solanum peruvianum) and cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), as well as the impact of microbially-driven changes in floral scent on the foraging behaviour of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata. Our findings revealed that inoculating tomatoes with PGPR led to an increased number of flowers and enhanced overall floral volatile emission. Additionally, we observed higher flower biomass and pollen levels in all species, except S. peruvianum. Importantly, these changes in volatile emissions influenced the foraging behaviour of M. quadrifasciata significantly. Our results highlight the impact of beneficial soil microbes on plant-pollinator interactions, shedding light on the multiple effects that plant-microbial interactions can have on aboveground organisms.

The greening-causing agent alters the behavioral and electrophysiological responses of the Asian citrus psyllid to a putative sex pheromone

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, is a vector of the pathological bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), which causes the most devastating disease to the citrus industry worldwide, known as greening or huanglongbing (HLB). Earlier field tests with an acetic acid-based lure in greening-free, 'Valencia' citrus orange groves in California showed promising results. The same type of lures tested in São Paulo, Brazil, showed unsettling results. During the unsuccessful trials, we noticed a relatively large proportion of females in the field, ultimately leading us to test field-collected males and females for Wolbachia and CLas. The results showed high rates of Wolbachia and CLas infection in field populations. We then compared the olfactory responses of laboratory-raised, CLas-free, and CLas-infected males to acetic acid. As previously reported, CLas-uninfected males responded to acetic acid at 1 µg. Surprisingly, CLas-infected males required 50 × higher doses of the putative sex pheromone, thus explaining the failure to capture CLas-infected males in the field. CLas infection was also manifested in electrophysiological responses. Electroantennogram responses from CLas-infected ACP males were significantly higher than those obtained with uninfected males. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a pathogen infection affecting a vector's response to a sex attractant.

Weathering the hunt: The role of barometric pressure in predator insects' foraging behaviour

Abiotic factors strongly influence ecological interactions and the spatial distribution of organisms. Despite the essential role of barometric pressure, its influence on insect behaviour remains poorly understood, particularly in predators. The effect of barometric pressure variation can significantly impact biological control programs involving entomophagous insects, as they must efficiently allocate time and energy to search for prey in challenging environments. We investigated how predatory insects from different taxonomic groups (Coleoptera, Dermaptera and Neuroptera) adapt their foraging behaviour in response to variations in barometric pressure (low, medium and high). We also examined the response of different life stages to changes in pressure regimes during foraging activities. Our results showed that the searching time of Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) was faster in a favourable high-pressure regime, whereas Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) had similar searching times under varying pressure regimes. Although no differences in prey feeding time were observed among the studied species, the consumption rate was influenced by low barometric pressure leading to a decrease in the number of preyed eggs. Moreover, we provide novel insights into how hemimetabolous (D. luteipes) and holometabolous (E. connexa) species at different life stages respond to barometric pressure. Doru luteipes nymphs and adults had similar consumption rates across all pressure regimes tested, whereas E. connexa larvae consumed fewer eggs under low barometric pressure, but adults were unaffected. This highlights the importance of investigating how abiotic factors affect insects foraging efficiency and predator-prey interactions. Such studies are especially relevant in the current context of climate change, as even subtle changes in abiotic factors can have strong effects on insect behaviour. Barometric pressure is a key meteorological variable that serve as a warning signal for insects to seek shelter and avoid exposure to weather events that could potentially increase their mortality. Understanding the effects of barometric pressure on predatory insects' behaviour can help us develop more effective pest management strategies and promote the resilience of agroecosystems. We provide new insights into the complex relationship between barometric pressure and predator-prey interactions.

Differential defensive and nutritional traits among cultivated tomato and its wild relatives shape their interactions with a specialist herbivore

Cultivated tomato presented lower constitutive volatiles, reduced morphological and chemical defenses, and increased leaf nutritional quality that affect its resistance against the specialist herbivore Tuta absoluta compared to its wild relatives. Plant domestication process has selected desirable agronomic attributes that can both intentionally and unintentionally compromise other important traits, such as plant defense and nutritional value. However, the effect of domestication on defensive and nutritional traits of plant organs not exposed to selection and the consequent interactions with specialist herbivores are only partly known. Here, we hypothesized that the modern cultivated tomato has reduced levels of constitutive defense and increased levels of nutritional value compared with its wild relatives, and such differences affect the preference and performance of the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta-an insect pest that co-evolved with tomato. To test this hypothesis, we compared plant volatile emissions, leaf defensive (glandular and non-glandular trichome density, and total phenolic content), and nutritional traits (nitrogen content) among the cultivated tomato Solanum lycopersicum and its wild relatives S. pennellii and S. habrochaites. We also determined the attraction and ovipositional preference of female moths and larval performance on cultivated and wild tomatoes. Volatile emissions were qualitatively and quantitatively different among the cultivated and wild species. Glandular trichomes density and total phenolics were lower in S. lycopersicum. In contrast, this species had a greater non-glandular trichome density and leaf nitrogen content. Female moths were more attracted and consistently laid more eggs on the cultivated S. lycopersicum. Larvae fed on S. lycopersicum leaves had a better performance reaching shorter larval developmental times and increasing the pupal weight compared to those fed on wild tomatoes. Overall, our study documents that agronomic selection for increased yields has altered the defensive and nutritional traits in tomato plants, affecting their resistance to T. absoluta.

Methyl benzoate and nerolidol attract the cyclocephaline beetle Cyclocephala paraguayensis to trumpet flowers

Cyclocephaline beetles are flower visitors attracted primarily by major floral volatiles. Addressing the identity of these volatile compounds is pivotal for understanding the evolution of plant-beetle interactions. We report the identification and field testing of the attractant volatiles from trumpet flowers, Brugmansia suaveolens (Willd.) Sweet (Solanaceae), for the beetle Cyclocephala paraguayensis Arrow (Melolonthidae: Dynastinae). Analysis of headspace floral volatiles revealed 19 compounds, from which eucalyptol (57%), methyl benzoate (16%), and β-myrcene (6%) were present in the largest amounts, whereas E-nerolidol in much lesser amounts (1.8%). During a first-field assay, traps baited with Mebe alone or blended with the other two major compounds attracted more beetles than myrcene and eucalyptol alone, which did not differ from the negative controls. In a second assay, Mebe and nerolidol attracted more beetles as a blend than individually. Nerolidol was more attractive than Mebe, and all treatments attracted more beetles than negative controls. The number of attracted beetles in the Mebe-nerolidol blend was greater than the combined sum of beetles attracted to these compounds alone, suggesting a synergistic interaction. The attraction of C. paraguayensis by trumpet-flower volatiles supports the beetle's extended preference for sphingophilous plants, especially when cantharophilous (beetle-pollinated) flowers are lacking. This phenomenon, thus, might have contributed to the widespread occurrence of this beetle throughout the Brazilian biomes.

A Novel Trisubstituted Tetrahydropyran as a Possible Pheromone Component for the South American Cerambycid Beetle Macropophora accentifer

A novel trisubstituted tetrahydropyran was isolated and identified from the sex-specific volatiles produced by males of the cerambycid beetle Macropophora accentifer (Olivier), a serious pest of citrus and other fruit crops in South America. The compound was the major component in the headspace volatiles, and it was synthesized in racemic form. However, in field trials, the racemate was only weakly attractive to beetles of both sexes, suggesting that attraction might be inhibited by the presence of the "unnatural" enantiomer in the racemate. Alternatively, the male-produced volatiles contained a number of minor and trace components, including a compound tentatively identified as a homolog of the major component, as well as a number of unsaturated 8-carbon alcohols and aldehydes. Further work is required to conclusively identify and synthesize these minor components, to determine whether one or more of them are crucial components of the active pheromone blend for this species.

Colletotrichum falcatum modulates the olfactory behavior of the sugarcane borer, favoring pathogen infection

Some pathogens can manipulate their host plants and insects to optimize their fitness, increasing the attraction of insects to the infected plant in ways that facilitate pathogen acquisition. In tropical American sugarcane crops, the fungus Colletotrichum falcatum, the red rot causal agent, usually occurs in association with the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis, resulting in large losses of this crop. Considering this association, we aimed to identify the effects of C. falcatum on D. saccharalis host preference and performance as well as the effect of this insect on C. falcatum sugarcane infection. Here, we show that the fungus C. falcatum modulates D. saccharalis behavior to its own benefit. More specifically, C. falcatum-infected sugarcane plants showed a dramatic increase in VOCs, luring D. saccharalis females to lay eggs on these plants. Therefore, sugarcane infection by the fungus C. falcatum increased in cooccurrence with insect herbivory, benefiting the pathogen when associated with D. saccharalis.

Fungal phytopathogen modulates plant and insect responses to promote its dissemination

Vector-borne plant pathogens often change host traits to manipulate vector behavior in a way that favors their spread. By contrast, infection by opportunistic fungi does not depend on vectors, although damage caused by an herbivore may facilitate infection. Manipulation of hosts and vectors, such as insect herbivores, has not been demonstrated in interactions with fungal pathogens. Herein, we establish a new paradigm for the plant-insect-fungus association in sugarcane. It has long been assumed that Fusarium verticillioides is an opportunistic fungus, where it takes advantage of the openings left by Diatraea saccharalis caterpillar attack to infect the plant. In this work, we show that volatile emissions from F. verticillioides attract D. saccharalis caterpillars. Once they become adults, the fungus is transmitted vertically to their offspring, which continues the cycle by inoculating the fungus into healthy plants. Females not carrying the fungus prefer to lay their eggs on fungus-infected plants than mock plants, while females carrying the fungus prefer to lay their eggs on mock plants than fungus-infected plants. Even though the fungus impacts D. saccharalis sex behavior, larval weight and reproduction rate, most individuals complete their development. Our data demonstrate that the fungus manipulates both the host plant and insect herbivore across life cycle to promote its infection and dissemination.

2-Nonanone is a Critical Pheromone Component for Cerambycid Beetle Species Native to North and South America

An increasing body of evidence indicates that cerambycid beetles native to different continents may share pheromone components, suggesting that these compounds arose as pheromone components early in the evolution of the family. Here, we describe the identification and field testing of the pheromone blends of two species in the subfamily Cerambycinae that share 2-nonanone as an important component of their male-produced aggregation-sex pheromones, the South American Stizocera consobrina Gounelle (tribe Elaphidiini) and the North American Heterachthes quadrimaculatus Haldeman (tribe Neoibidionini). Along with 2-nonanone, males of S. consobrina also produce 1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1,2-propanedione, whereas males of H. quadrimaculatus produce 10-methyldodecanol. Field bioassays conducted in Brazil (targeting S. consobrina) and Illinois (targeting H. quadrimaculatus) demonstrated that adults of both species were attracted only by the blends of both their pheromone components, and not to the individual components. The use of the pyrrole as a critical component for the former species is further evidence that this compound is a common pheromone structure among cerambycines in different biogeographical regions of the world.

Silicon-induced changes in plant volatiles reduce attractiveness of wheat to the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi and attract the parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes

Silicon (Si) supplementation is well-known for enhancing plant resistance to insect pests, however, only recently studies revealed that Si accumulation in the plant not only confers a mechanical barrier to insect feeding, but also primes jasmonic acid-dependent defenses. Here, we examined whether Si supplementation alters wheat volatile emissions that influence the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) olfactory preference and the aphid parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes. Even though Si accumulation in wheat did not impact aphid performance, we found that R. padi preferred constitutive volatiles from–Si wheat over those emitted by +Si wheat plants. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, the parasitoid was attracted to volatiles from +Si uninfested wheat, but not to those from–Si uninfested wheat. +Si and–Si aphid-infested plants released equally attractive blends to the aphid parasitoid; however, wasps were unable to distinguish +Si uninfested plant odors from those of aphid-infested treatments. GC-MS analyses revealed that +Si uninfested wheat plants emitted increased amounts of a single compound, geranyl acetone, compared to -Si uninfested wheat, but similar to those emitted by aphid-infested treatments. By contrast, Si supplementation in wheat did not alter composition of aphid-induced plant volatiles. Our results show that changes in wheat volatile blend induced by Si accumulation mediate the non-preference behavior of the bird cherry-oat aphid and the attraction of its parasitoid L. testaceipes. Conversely to the literature, Si supplementation by itself seems to work as an elicitor of induced defenses in wheat, and not as a priming agent.

Variations on a Theme: Two Structural Motifs Create Species-Specific Pheromone Channels for Multiple Species of South American Cerambycid Beetles

We describe the identification, synthesis, and field-testing of aggregation-sex pheromones, or likely pheromone candidates, of seven species of South American cerambycid beetles in the subfamily Cerambycinae, of the tribes Eburiini and Neoibidionini. Analyses of extracts of volatiles released by adult males revealed that Eburodacrys dubitata White produce 11-methyltridecanal, whereas the males of Eburodacrys assimilis Gounelle, Eburodacrys flexuosa Gounelle, and Eburodacrys lenkoi Napp and Martins produce blends of this compound, along with its analog 10-methyldodecanal. In contrast, males of Compsibidion graphicum (Thomson) and Compsibidion sommeri (Thomson) produce blends of 10-methyldodecanal and its corresponding alcohol 10-methyldodecanol. The results from field bioassays with synthetic compounds showed that each species was specifically attracted to traps containing their reconstructed pheromone blend. However, E. assimilis was not trapped, possibly due to inhibition by non-natural enantiomers in the racemic test compounds. During the trials for the Compsibidion species, adults of another cerambycid species, Tetraopidion mucoriferum (Thomson), were captured in significant numbers in traps baited with 10-methyldodecanol, suggesting that this compound is a pheromone component for this species. This study demonstrates another case of conservation of pheromone structures within South American cerambycid species. It also highlights how blends of closely related structures, differing only in chain length or functional group, make the evolution of species-specific pheromone channels possible.

The composition of the bacterial community in the foam produced by Mahanarva fimbriolata is distinct from those at gut and soil

The development of insects is strongly influenced by their resident microorganisms. Symbionts play key roles in insect nutrition, reproduction, and defense. Bacteria are important partners due to the wide diversity of their biochemical pathways that aid in the host development. We present evidence that the foam produced by nymphs of the spittlebug Mahanarva fimbriolata harbors a diversity of bacteria, including some that were previously reported as defensive symbionts of insects. Analysis of the microbiomes in the nymph gut and the soil close to the foam showed that the microorganisms in the foam were more closely related to those in the gut than in the soil, suggesting that the bacteria are actively introduced into the foam by the insect. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria were the predominant groups found in the foam. Since members of Actinobacteria have been found to protect different species of insects by producing secondary metabolites with antibiotic properties, we speculate that the froth produced by M. fimbriolata may aid in defending the nymphs against entomopathogenic microorganisms.

Infection by the semi-persistently transmitted Tomato chlorosis virus alters the biology and behaviour of Bemisia tabaci on two potato clones

Insect-borne plant viruses usually alter the interactions between host plant and insect vector in ways conducive to their transmission ('host manipulation hypothesis'). Most studies have tested this hypothesis with persistently and non-persistently transmitted viruses, while few have examined semi-persistently transmitted viruses. The crinivirus Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is semi-persistently transmitted virus by whiteflies, and has been recently reported infecting potato plants in Brazil, where Bemisia tabaci Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) is a competent vector. We investigated how ToCV infection modifies the interaction between potato plants and B. tabaci in ways that increase the likelihood of ToCV transmission, in two clones, one susceptible ('Agata') and the other moderately resistant (Bach-4) to B. tabaci. Whiteflies alighted and laid more eggs on ToCV-infected plants than mock-inoculated plants of Bach-4. When non-viruliferous whiteflies were released on ToCV-infected plants near mock-inoculated plants, adults moved more intensely towards non-infected plants than in the reverse condition for both clones. Feeding on ToCV-infected plants reduced egg-incubation period in both clones, but the egg-adult cycle was similar for whiteflies fed on ToCV-infected and mock-inoculated plants. Our results demonstrated that ToCV infection in potato plants alters B. tabaci behaviour and development in distinct ways depending on the host clone, with potential implications for ToCV spread.

(Z)-7-Hexadecene is an Aggregation-Sex Pheromone Produced by Males of the South American Cerambycid Beetle Susuacanga octoguttata

We describe the identification, synthesis, and field bioassays of a novel aggregation-sex pheromone produced by males of Susuacanga octoguttata (Germar), a South American cerambycid beetle. Analyses of extracts of headspace volatiles produced by adult beetles revealed a sex-specific compound emitted by males which was identified as (Z)-7-hexadecene by microchemical and spectroscopic analyses. The synthesized pheromone was attractive to beetles of both sexes in field trials. This unsaturated hydrocarbon motif is unprecedented among cerambycid pheromones identified to date. During field bioassays, we serendipitously discovered that adults of S. octoguttata trapped in two Brazilian biomes differed considerably in elytral markings, although males from both populations produced (Z)-7-hexadecene as an aggregation-sex pheromone.

Direct and indirect resistance of sugarcane to Diatraea saccharalis induced by jasmonic acid

Treating plants with synthetic jasmonic acid (JA) induces a defensive response similar to herbivore attack, and is a potential strategy for integrated pest management. Despite the importance of sugarcane, its JA-induced defences have not yet been studied. We investigated the effects of JA treatment on the direct and indirect resistance of sugarcane to the key-pest and specialist herbivore Diatraea saccharalis and the generalist Spodoptera frugiperda. Indirect defences were examined by testing the attraction of Cotesia flavipes, a sugarcane-borer parasitoid, to JA-induced volatile. The results showed that JA-treated sugarcane did not affect the weight gain of the two larvae. However, in dual-choice assays, both species preferred to feed on mock rather than JA-treated plants. Leaf colorimetric analyses showed that visual cues are unlikely to be involved in larval preference, whereas results from olfactometric assays revealed that D. saccharalis preferred JA-induced over mock plant volatiles. After 48 h of treatment, JA-treated plants emitted a volatile blend attractive to C. flavipes, comprised mainly of sesquiterpenes. However, the parasitoid did not discriminate JA-treated from host-damaged plant volatiles. When the wasps were given a choice between JA-treated and JA-treated + host-damaged plants, they preferred the latter, which emitted a more complex blend, suggesting that JA treatment likely does not hamper host-finding. We concluded that JA induces the emission of volatiles that are attractive to the sugarcane borer parasitoid, as well as an antixenosis type of resistance in sugarcane against the two pests, although neither volatiles nor visual cues alone are involved in the underlying mechanism.

Attraction of Three Mirid Predators to Tomato Infested by Both the Tomato Leaf Mining Moth Tuta absoluta and the Whitefly Bemisia tabaci

Plants emit volatile compounds in response to insect herbivory, which may play multiple roles as defensive compounds and mediators of interactions with other plants, microorganisms and animals. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) may act as indirect plant defenses by attracting natural enemies of the attacking herbivore. We report here the first evidence of the attraction of three Neotropical mirid predators (Macrolophus basicornis, Engytatus varians and Campyloneuropsis infumatus) toward plants emitting volatiles induced upon feeding by two tomato pests, the leaf miner Tuta absoluta and the phloem feeder Bemisia tabaci, in olfactometer bioassays. Subsequently, we compared the composition of volatile blends emitted by insect-infested tomato plants by collecting headspace samples and analyzing them with GC-FID and GC-MS. Egg deposition by T. absoluta did not make tomato plants more attractive to the mirid predators than uninfested tomato plants. Macrolophus basicornis is attracted to tomato plants infested with either T. absoluta larvae or by a mixture of B. tabaci eggs, nymphs and adults. Engytatus varians and C. infumatus responded to volatile blends released by tomato plants infested with T. absoluta larvae over uninfested plants. Also, multiple herbivory by T. absoluta and B. tabaci did not increase the attraction of the mirids compared to infestation with T. absoluta alone. Terpenoids represented the most important class of compounds in the volatile blends and there were significant differences between the volatile blends emitted by tomato plants in response to attack by T. absoluta, B. tabaci, or by both insects. We, therefore, conclude that all three mirids use tomato plant volatiles to find T. absoluta larvae. Multiple herbivory did neither increase, nor decrease attraction of C. infumatus, E. varians and M. basicornis. By breeding for higher rates of emission of selected terpenes, increased attractiveness of tomato plants to natural enemies may improve the effectiveness of biological control.

The dilemma of being a fragrant flower: the major floral volatile attracts pollinators and florivores in the euglossine-pollinated orchid Dichaea pendula

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) mediate both mutualistic and antagonistic plant-animal interactions; thus, the attraction of mutualists and antagonists by floral VOCs constitutes an important trade-off in the evolutionary ecology of angiosperms. Here, we evaluate the role of VOCs in mediating communication between the plant and its mutualist and antagonist floral visitors. To assess the evolutionary consequences of VOC-mediated signalling to distinct floral visitors, we studied the reproductive ecology of Dichaea pendula, assessing the effects of florivores on fruit set, the pollination efficiency of pollinators and florivores, the floral scent composition and the attractiveness of the major VOC to pollinators and florivores. The orchid depends entirely on orchid-bees for sexual reproduction, and the major florivores, the weevils, feed on corollas causing self-pollination, triggering abortion of 26.4 % of the flowers. Floral scent was composed of approximately 99 % 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, an unusual floral VOC attractive to pollinators and florivores. The low fruit set from natural pollination (5.6 %) compared to hand cross-pollination (45.5 %) and low level of pollinator visitation [0.02 visits (flower hour)^-1] represent the limitations to pollination. Our research found that 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol mediates both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions, which could result in contrary evolutionary pressures on novo-emission. The scarcity of pollinators, not florivory, was the major constraint to fruit set. Our results suggest that, rather than anti-florivory adaptations, adaptations to enhance pollinator attraction and cross-pollination might be the primary drivers of the evolution of VOC emission in euglossine-pollinated flowers.

10-Methyldodecanal, a Novel Attractant Pheromone Produced by Males of the South American Cerambycid Beetle Eburodacrys vittata

We report the identification, synthesis, and field bioassay of a novel attractant pheromone produced by males of Eburodacrys vittata (Blanchard), a South American cerambycid beetle in the subfamily Cerambycinae. Headspace volatiles from males contained a sex-specific compound, identified as 10-methyldodecanal. In a field bioassay conducted in Brazil, significant numbers of males and females were caught in traps baited with synthesized racemic 10-methyldodecanal, consistent with the aggregation-sex pheromones produced by males of many cerambycine species. This compound represents a new structural class of cerambycid pheromones, and it is the first pheromone identified for a species in the tribe Eburiini.

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles to enhance biological control in agriculture

Plants under herbivore attack synthetize defensive organic compounds that directly or indirectly affect herbivore performance and mediate other interactions with the community. The so-called herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) consist of odors released by attacked plants that serve as important cues for parasitoids and predators to locate their host/prey. The understanding that has been gained on the ecological role and mechanisms of HIPV emission opens up paths for developing novel strategies integrated with biological control programs with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of natural enemies in suppressing pest populations in crops. Tactics using synthetic HIPVs or chemically/genetically manipulating plant defenses have been suggested in order to recruit natural enemies to plantations or help guiding them to their host more quickly, working as a "synergistic" agent of biological control. This review discusses strategies using HIPVs to enhance biological control that have been proposed in the literature and were categorized here as: (a) exogenous application of elicitors on plants, (b) use of plant varieties that emit attractive HIPVs to natural enemies, (c) release of synthetic HIPVs, and (d) genetic manipulation targeting genes that optimize HIPV emission. We discuss the feasibility, benefits, and downsides of each strategy by considering not only field studies but also comprehensive laboratory assays that present an applied approach for HIPVs or show the potential of employing them in the field.

Description of the immatures of Scaptocoris carvalhoi Becker (Hemiptera: Cydnidae)

Nymphs and adults of the burrower bug Scaptocoris carvalhoi Becker feed on vegetal sap of their host plants through the roots, and little is known on the morphology and biology of its immature stage. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the immatures of S. carvalhoi by describing the egg and the morphology of each instar. Eggs of S. carvalhoi have a smooth chorion surface without visible micropylar processes. The presence of five instars was confirmed by the coefficient of determination (R (2) > 0.95) and by the growth constant (K between 1.2 and 1.6). Nymphs have an elliptical body and fossorial scythe-like forelegs. The tarsi are absent as in adults, and the prototarsal insertion region becomes visible only in the fourth instar. Nymphs from first to fourth instar of S. carvalhoi showed the presence of 1 + 1 trichobothria in urosternites III to VII, close to the anterior margin and inside the spiracles; besides these trichobothria, fifth instars presented 1 + 1 pre-trichobothria in urosternites III to V located posteriorly, almost in the row of spiracles close to the posterior margin of the urosternites. This is the first detailed morphological record of immatures belonging to Scaptocoris.

Mating behavior of Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) is an economically important pest of Neotropical cultures and represents a quarantine risk for Neartic and Paleartic Regions. Despite its agricultural importance, few studies have been done on mating behavior and chemical communication, which has delayed the development of behavioral techniques for population management, such as the use of pheromone traps. In this study, we determined 1) the age at first mating; 2) diel rhythm of matings; 3) number of matings over 7 d; 4) the sequence of D. speciosa activities during premating, mating, and postmating; 5) the duration of each activity; and 6) response to male and female conspecific volatiles in Y-tube olfactometer. The first mating occurred between the third and seventh day after adult emergence and the majority of pairs mated on the fourth day after emergence. Pairs of D. speciosa showed a daily rhythm of mating with greater sexual activity between the end of the photophase and the first half of the scotophase. During the 7 d of observation, most pairs mated only once, although 30% mated two, three, or four times. In a Y-tube olfactometer, males were attracted by virgin females as well as by the volatile compounds emitted by females. Neither males nor their volatiles were attractive to either sex. Our observation provide information about mating behavior of D. speciosa, which will be useful in future research in chemical communication, such as identification of the pheromone and development of management techniques for this species using pheromone traps.

Fall Armyworm, spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), female moths respond to herbivore-induced corn volatiles

In response to herbivore attack, plants release herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that represent important chemical cues for herbivore natural enemies. Additionally, HIPVs have been shown to mediate other ecological interactions with herbivores. Differently from natural enemies that are generally attracted to HIPVs, herbivores can be either attracted or repelled depending on several biological and ecological parameters. Our study aimed to assess the olfactory response of fall armyworm-mated female moths toward odors released by mechanically and herbivore-induced corn at different time intervals. Results showed that female moths strongly respond to corn volatiles, although fresh damaged corn odors (0-1 h) are not recognized by moths. Moreover, females preferred volatiles released by undamaged plant over herbivore-induced plants at 5-6 h. This preference for undamaged plants may reflect an adaptive strategy of moths to avoid competitors and natural enemies for their offspring. We discussed our results based on knowledge about corn volatile release pattern and raise possible explanations for fall armyworm moth behavior.

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles can serve as host location cues for a generalist and a specialist egg parasitoid

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles are important host finding cues for larval parasitoids, and similarly, insect oviposition might elicit the release of plant volatiles functioning as host finding cues for egg parasitoids. We hypothesized that egg parasitoids also might utilize HIPVs of emerging larvae to locate plants with host eggs. We, therefore, assessed the olfactory response of two egg parasitoids, a generalist, Trichogramma pretiosum (Tricogrammatidae), and a specialist, Telenomus remus (Scelionidae) to HIPVs. We used a Y-tube olfactometer to tests the wasps' responses to volatiles released by young maize plants that were treated with regurgitant from caterpillars of the moth Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae) or were directly attacked by the caterpillars. The results show that the generalist egg parasitoid Tr. pretiosum is innately attracted by volatiles from freshly-damaged plants 0-1 and 2-3 h after regurgitant treatment. During this interval, the volatile blend consisted of green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and a blend of aromatic compounds, mono- and homoterpenes, respectively. Behavioral assays with synthetic GLVs confirmed their attractiveness to Tr. pretiosum. The generalist learned the more complex volatile blends released 6-7 h after induction, which consisted mainly of sesquiterpenes. The specialist T. remus on the other hand was attracted only to volatiles emitted from fresh and old damage after associating these volatiles with oviposition. Taken together, these results strengthen the emerging pattern that egg and larval parasitoids behave in a similar way in that generalists can respond innately to HIPVs, while specialists seems to rely more on associative learning.

Identification, synthesis, and field evaluation of the sex pheromone from the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella

Using male antenna as the sensing element, three electroantennographic detection (EAD)-active peaks were detected from pheromone gland extracts of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella. Based on gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and GC-infrared data, the semiochemicals were tentatively identified as a novel pheromone, (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal, a previously identified attractant, (Z,Z)-7,11-hexadecadienal, and (Z)-7-hexadecenal in a ratio of 30:10:1, respectively. Identification was confirmed with synthetic compounds, which gave retention times identical to those of the natural products on three capillary columns with polar and nonpolar phases. While traps baited only with the previously identified attractant alone did not catch any males in Brazil, binary and tertiary mixtures with the major constituents caught significantly more male moths than traps baited with five virgin females.