Recognition of foreign oviposition-marking pheromone in a multi-trophic context |
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Authors: | L L Stelinski C Rodriguez-Saona W L Meyer |
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Institution: | (1) Entomology and Nematology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA;(2) Department of Entomology, Blueberry and Cranberry Research Center, Rutgers University, 125A Lake Oswego Rd., Chatsworth, NJ 08019, USA |
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Abstract: | Both phytophagous and parasitic insects deposit oviposition-marking pheromones (OMPs) following oviposition that function
to inform conspecifics of a previously utilized host of reduced suitability. The blueberry maggot fly, Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), deposits eggs individually into blueberries and then marks the fruit surface with an OMP which
reduces acceptance of fruit for oviposition by conspecifics. Diachasma alloeum (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a parasitic wasp attacking larval R. mendax which also deposits an OMP, signaling conspecifics of a wasp-occupied host. Behavioral studies were conducted testing the
hypothesis that the OMP of the parasitic wasp modifies the oviposition behavior of its host fly. In this study, we show that
the OMP of D. alloeum is recognized by R. mendax, and female flies will reject wasp-marked fruit for oviposition. Thus, we present a rare demonstration of pheromonal recognition
between animals occupying different taxonomic orders and trophic levels. This chemical eavesdropping may enhance the ability
of the fly to avoid fruit unsuitable for larval development. |
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Keywords: | Oviposition-marking pheromone Blueberry maggot Rhagoletis mendax Diachasma alloeum Host marking Parasitoid Foraging kairomone |
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