Open AccessVolatile chemical release by bethylid wasps: identity, phylogeny, anatomy and behaviour
Author(s) -
GOUBAULT MARLÈNE,
BATCHELOR TIM P.,
ROMANI ROBERTO,
LINFORTH ROBERT S. T.,
FRITZSCHE MATTHIAS,
FRANCKE WITTKO,
HARDY IAN C. W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
biological journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1095-8312
pISSN - 0024-4066
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01022.x
Subject(s) - biology , subfamily , pheromone , sex pheromone , hymenoptera , zoology , enantiomer , chemical communication , agonistic behaviour , stereochemistry , botany , biochemistry , gene , psychology , chemistry , psychiatry , aggression
The structures of volatile chemicals released by parasitic wasps in the family Bethylidae are shown to correspond to the subfamily to which the species belong. Species in the Epyrinae release skatole (3‐methylindole) and species in the Bethylinae release a spiroacetal (2‐methyl‐1,7‐dioxaspiro [5.5]undecane): these compounds are chemically very different. The enantiomeric composition of the spiroacetal differs between congeneric species. Chemical release is a discrete event under the active control of both male and female wasps. Structural differences between the mandibular glands and intramandibular glands suggest the mandibular glands to be the source of released volatiles. Real‐time mass spectrometry shows that the spiroacetal is released by Goniozus nephantidis females during dyadic resource contests, with release more common during more aggressive interactions. Chemical tagging with deuterium further shows that the volatile is released by the loser of an agonistic interaction and not the winner. The function of spiroacetal and skatole release by bethylids is discussed. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 94 , 837–852.