Mating behavior is crucial for most insects,as it is closely tied to reproduction and population growth and relies heavily on chemical communication via cuticular hydrocarbons(CHCs)between individuals.However,little i...Mating behavior is crucial for most insects,as it is closely tied to reproduction and population growth and relies heavily on chemical communication via cuticular hydrocarbons(CHCs)between individuals.However,little is known about the mating behavior of Eupeodes corollae,a natural enemy insect,and how CHCs help it communicate.In this study,we performed a behavioral assay of the mating process of hoverfly E.corollae.The cuticular hydrocarbons of both male and female hoverflies were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The electrophysiological activities of these compounds on the antennae of hoverflies were further determined by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennogram detection(GC-EAD)and electroantennogram(EAG).The effects of these compounds on the behavioral selection and mating of hoverflies were also determined.The results showed that the mating process of hoverflies was divided into five stages:orientation,approaching,wing fanning,mounting,and copulation.Fifth-aged individuals exhibited the highest copulation and mating success rates,the shortest male latency,and stable mating duration.The results of the determination of cuticular compounds showed that the CHCs of male and female hoverflies exhibited sexually monomorphic chemical profiles,and two compounds of(Z)-9-tricosene and n-tricosane could cause significant electrophysiological responses in both male and female hoverflies.Behavioral bioassay results showed that(Z)-9-tricosene can significantly induce the attraction response of male and female E.corollae and can effectively regulate the courtship behavior of male E.corollae.This finding provides a new perspective for a deeper understanding of hoverflies'chemical communication mechanism and a valuable scientific basis and potential application prospect for developing a pheromone-based behavior strategy to control pests.展开更多
Since its 2018 invasion of eastern Asia,the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)has become a key pest in local maize production.Though pesticides have been widely used to mitigate the initial S.f...Since its 2018 invasion of eastern Asia,the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)has become a key pest in local maize production.Though pesticides have been widely used to mitigate the initial S.frugiperda attack,biological control is receiving ample attention as a desirable,environmentally-sound alternative to chemical control.Hoverflies(Diptera:Syrphidae)are abundant natural enemies in Chinese maize fields and have been observed to consume S.frugiperda larvae.In this study,we use laboratory assays to study the two-way interaction between immature stages of S.frugiperda and the endemic syrphid Eupeodes corollae.To mimic natural conditions,assays were performed in the presence of fresh maize leaves.Those 2 nd or 3 rd instar larvae of E.corollae preyed on 1 st and 2 nd instar S.frugiperda larvae with a Holling type III response,consuming a respective theoretical maximum of 43.48 and 83.33 larvae over a 24-h period.Conversely,once S.frugiperda larvae reached 3 rd instar,they exhibited aggressive behavior and equally preyed on syrphid larvae with a Holling type III response.Those 5 th and 6 th instar larvae of S.frugiperda consumed a respective 16.39-19.23,6.02-19.61 and 6.76-8.26 of 1 st,2 nd and 3 rd instar E.corollae larvae per day.Though our results await field-level validation,S.frugiperda agonistic(i.e.,defensive)and consumptive behavior towards resident natural enemies such as E.corollae possibly degrades biotic resistance and raises its invasion potential.Our findings shine new light on the interaction between lepidopteran herbivores and their natural enemies,and can help advance the development of conservation biological control and other integrated pest management(IPM)strategies against S.frugiperda in China and abroad.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32272621)the Key Project of Inter-Government International Science&Technology Innovation Cooperation,China(2019YFE0105800)+1 种基金the Major Special Projects for Green Pest Control,China(110202201017(LS-01))the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences。
文摘Mating behavior is crucial for most insects,as it is closely tied to reproduction and population growth and relies heavily on chemical communication via cuticular hydrocarbons(CHCs)between individuals.However,little is known about the mating behavior of Eupeodes corollae,a natural enemy insect,and how CHCs help it communicate.In this study,we performed a behavioral assay of the mating process of hoverfly E.corollae.The cuticular hydrocarbons of both male and female hoverflies were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The electrophysiological activities of these compounds on the antennae of hoverflies were further determined by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennogram detection(GC-EAD)and electroantennogram(EAG).The effects of these compounds on the behavioral selection and mating of hoverflies were also determined.The results showed that the mating process of hoverflies was divided into five stages:orientation,approaching,wing fanning,mounting,and copulation.Fifth-aged individuals exhibited the highest copulation and mating success rates,the shortest male latency,and stable mating duration.The results of the determination of cuticular compounds showed that the CHCs of male and female hoverflies exhibited sexually monomorphic chemical profiles,and two compounds of(Z)-9-tricosene and n-tricosane could cause significant electrophysiological responses in both male and female hoverflies.Behavioral bioassay results showed that(Z)-9-tricosene can significantly induce the attraction response of male and female E.corollae and can effectively regulate the courtship behavior of male E.corollae.This finding provides a new perspective for a deeper understanding of hoverflies'chemical communication mechanism and a valuable scientific basis and potential application prospect for developing a pheromone-based behavior strategy to control pests.
基金supported by the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System(CARS-15-19)。
文摘Since its 2018 invasion of eastern Asia,the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)has become a key pest in local maize production.Though pesticides have been widely used to mitigate the initial S.frugiperda attack,biological control is receiving ample attention as a desirable,environmentally-sound alternative to chemical control.Hoverflies(Diptera:Syrphidae)are abundant natural enemies in Chinese maize fields and have been observed to consume S.frugiperda larvae.In this study,we use laboratory assays to study the two-way interaction between immature stages of S.frugiperda and the endemic syrphid Eupeodes corollae.To mimic natural conditions,assays were performed in the presence of fresh maize leaves.Those 2 nd or 3 rd instar larvae of E.corollae preyed on 1 st and 2 nd instar S.frugiperda larvae with a Holling type III response,consuming a respective theoretical maximum of 43.48 and 83.33 larvae over a 24-h period.Conversely,once S.frugiperda larvae reached 3 rd instar,they exhibited aggressive behavior and equally preyed on syrphid larvae with a Holling type III response.Those 5 th and 6 th instar larvae of S.frugiperda consumed a respective 16.39-19.23,6.02-19.61 and 6.76-8.26 of 1 st,2 nd and 3 rd instar E.corollae larvae per day.Though our results await field-level validation,S.frugiperda agonistic(i.e.,defensive)and consumptive behavior towards resident natural enemies such as E.corollae possibly degrades biotic resistance and raises its invasion potential.Our findings shine new light on the interaction between lepidopteran herbivores and their natural enemies,and can help advance the development of conservation biological control and other integrated pest management(IPM)strategies against S.frugiperda in China and abroad.
