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Electrophysiological and behavioural responses of Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to tomato plant volatiles

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Abstract

Flight responses of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi to tomato volatiles have recently demonstrated that different plant stresses can lead to increases in attractiveness for this parasitoid. For example, infestation of tomato plants by the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae results in the overexpression of defensive genes, as well as the release of volatile compounds that attract aphid parasitoids. Here, we determine which of the induced compounds elicit a significant electrophysiological response from parasitoid antennae. Compounds shown to be detected at the antennal level were then tested at a range of doses in a wind tunnel assay. A significant electroantennogram response was demonstrated for three compounds, (8S,9R)-(E)-caryophyllene, methyl salicylate, and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, over four concentrations. These compounds proved to be significantly attractive in the wind tunnel at a rate not always proportionally dependent upon the dose. The practical implications of these findings are discussed in the framework of sustainable control for pest aphids in agriculture.

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Acknowledgments

Rothamsted Research receives grant-aided support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), UK. E.G visit to Rothamsted was supported by the ENDURE NoE (EU FP7).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto per la Protezione delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Università 133, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy

    Raffaele Sasso, Luigi Iodice & Emilio Guerrieri

  2. Department of Biological Chemistry, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK

    Christine M. Woodcock & John A. Pickett

Authors
  1. Raffaele Sasso
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  2. Luigi Iodice
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  3. Christine M. Woodcock
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  4. John A. Pickett
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  5. Emilio Guerrieri
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emilio Guerrieri.

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Sasso, R., Iodice, L., Woodcock, C.M. et al. Electrophysiological and behavioural responses of Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to tomato plant volatiles. Chemoecology 19, 195–201 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-009-0023-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-009-0023-9

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