Herbivore-induced volatile organic compounds emitted by maize: Electrophysiological responses in Spodoptera frugiperda females

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 70-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delia M. Pinto-Zevallos ◽  
Priscila Strapasson ◽  
Paulo H.G. Zarbin
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Electrophysiological Responses ◽  
Volatile Organic

scholarly journals Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of the Fringed Larder Beetle Dermestes frischii to the Smell of a Cadaver at Different Decomposition Stages

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clément Martin ◽  
Damien Minchilli ◽  
Frédéric Francis ◽  
François Verheggen
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Feeding Site ◽  
Decomposition Stage ◽  
Electrophysiological Responses ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Chemical Profiles ◽  
Decomposition Stages ◽  
Behavioral Assays

A cadaver is colonized by a wide diversity of necrophagous insects. It is well documented that Dipterans are attracted by the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by a corpse during the first minutes following death. Coleopterans are known to be attracted by highly decomposed cadavers, but have received less attention regarding the olfaction-based mechanisms underlying these interactions. In the present study, we impregnated gauzes with VOCs collected from each decomposition stage of dead rats: fresh, bloated, active, and advanced decay. We collected the VOCs released by the gauze and confirmed what was previously know from the literature: the decomposition stages are associated with contrasting chemical profiles. We exposed Dermestes frischii Kugelann (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) male and female antennae to the same gauzes and found that stronger electrical responses were recorded when using the smell of the advanced decay stage. Finally, we performed two choices behavioral assays. Females showed no preference for the four decomposition stages, while males were attracted by the smell associated with active and advanced decay stages. These results suggest that specific VOCs released by a decaying body guide necrophagous coleopterans to their feeding site. Whether D. frischii males release pheromones to attract females remains to be tested.

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