Host selection by Ibalia leucospoides based on temporal variations of volatiles from the hosts’ fungal symbiont

• Autores: Jofre, Nelida Raquel; Pildain, María Belén; Cirigliano, A.M.; Cabrera, G.M.; Corley, Juan Carlos; Martinez Von Ellrich, Andres
• Año de publicación: 2016
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Fuente: Journal of Applied Entomology 140 (10) : 736–743 (December 2016)
• Materia: Parasitoids; Hosts; Symbionts; Parasitoides; Huéspedes; Simbiontico; Ibalia Leucospoides
• Institución: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria

Insect parasitoids locate hosts via reliable and predictable cues such as volatile emissions from hosts and/or host plants. For insects that depend on mutualistic organisms, such as many wood-boring insects, symbiont-derived semiochemicals may represent a source of such cues to be exploited by natural enemies. Ultimately, exploitation of these signals may increase fitness by optimizing foraging efficiency. Female parasitoids of Ibalia leucospoides use volatiles from the fungal symbiont Amylostereum areolatum of their host Sirex noctlio to find concealed host eggs and young larvae within the xylem. We hypothesize that the temporal pattern of fungal emissions may indicate not only the presence of host larvae but also be used as a cue that indicates host suitability and age. Such information would allow female parasitoids to discern more efficiently between hosts within ovipositor reach from those already buried too deep into the xylem and out of reach. In this context, we assessed the behaviour of I. leucospoides females to volatiles of A. areolatum in a ‘Y’-tube olfactometer at regular intervals over 30 days. We concurrently examined the fungal volatiles by headspace sampling through solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We observed that females were attracted to volatiles produced by two-week-old fungal cultures, a period that matches when older larvae are still within ovipositor reach. Four chemical compounds were detected: ethanol, acetone, acetaldehyde and the sesquiterpene 2,2,8-trimethyltricyclo[6.2.2.01,6]dodec-5-ene, with each compounds’ relative abundance changing over time. Results are discussed in the context of parasitoids fitness. Future studies involving electrophysiology, different collection techniques and further behavioural assays will help in identifying the compounds that convey temporal information to female parasitoids and have the potential for being used in integrated pest management programmes.
Fil: Jofre, Nélida Raquel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos; Argentina
Fil: Pildain, M.B. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico. Area de Protecci on Forestal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Cirigliano, A.M. UBA. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Qu ımica Org anica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. UMYMFOR; Argentina
Fil: Corley, Juan Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Martinez Von Ellrich, Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos; Argentina