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Behavioral and physiological responses of Drosophila melanogaster and D. suzukii to volatiles from plant essential oils
Author(s) -
Wang Qiang,
Xu Peng,
Sanchez Simon,
Duran Phil,
Andreazza Felipe,
Isaacs Rufus,
Dong Ke
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6282
Subject(s) - drosophila suzukii , drosophila melanogaster , biology , drosophila (subgenus) , drosophilidae , botany , genetics , gene
Abstract BACKGROUND Insects rely on their sense of smell to locate food and hosts, find mates and select sites for laying eggs. Use of volatile compounds, such as essential oils (EOs), to repel insect pests and disrupt their olfaction‐driven behaviors has great practical significance in integrated pest management. However, our knowledge on the olfaction‐based mechanisms of EO repellency is quite limited. RESULTS We evaluated the repellency of peppermint oil and nine plant EO components in Drosophila melanogaster , a model insect for olfaction study, and D. suzukii , a major fruit crop pest. All nine volatiles, menthone, (−)‐menthol, menthyl acetate, (R)‐(+)‐limonene, nerol, (+)‐fenchone, (−)‐α‐thujone, camphor, norcamphor and peppermint oil, elicited repellency in D. melanogaster in a dose‐dependent manner. Most of the compounds, except camphor, also elicited repellency in D. suzukii . Menthone, (R)‐(+)‐limonene and (+)‐fenchone were the most potent repellents against D. suzukii . Repellency was reduced or abolished in two D. melanogaster mutants of the odorant receptor co‐receptor (Orco), indicating that the observed repellency is odorant receptor (Or)‐mediated. Repellency by peppermint oil, menthone, (R)‐(+)‐limonene, (−)‐α‐thujone and norcamphor also involves Or‐independent mechanism(s). Single sensillum recording from both species revealed that common and distinct Ors and olfactory receptor neurons were activated by these compounds. CONCLUSIONS The tested plant EO components evoke repellency by activating multiple Ors in both Drosophila species. Our study provides a foundation for further elucidation of the mechanism of EOs repellency and species‐specific olfactory adaptations. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry