Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are important, multi-function components of the insect epicuticle. In Drosophila spp., CHCs provide protection from desiccation and serve as semiochemicals for both intra- and interspecific communication. We developed a non-lethal method for the modification of Drosophila CHCs profiles through the exposure of live insects to a high dose of ozone gas (~ 45,000 ppm). Drosophila suzukii that were treated with ozone showed a 1.63–3.10 fold reduction in unsaturated hydrocarbons with these CHCs shown to regenerate over 108 h. Changes in CHCs were correlated with significantly reduced desiccation resistance in both male and female D. suzukii at one h after ozone treatment. Interestingly, individuals treated with ozone showed increased desiccation resistance in comparison to controls at 108 h after ozone treatment. The methodology reported in this paper provides a novel approach to investigate the biosynthesis and functions of CHCs during the lifespan of an insect.

表皮碳氢化合物 (CHC) 是昆虫上表皮的重要多功能成分。在果蝇属中，CHCs 提供防止干燥的保护，并作为种内和种间交流的信息素。我们开发了一种通过将活昆虫暴露于高剂量臭氧气体 (~ 45,000 ppm) 来修改果蝇CHC 分布的非致命方法。用臭氧处理的铃木果蝇的不饱和烃减少了 1.63-3.10 倍，这些 CHC 显示可再生超过 108 小时。CHC 的变化与雄性和雌性D. suzukii 的干燥抗性显着降低相关臭氧处理后一小时。有趣的是，在臭氧处理后 108 小时，与对照组相比，用臭氧处理的个体表现出更高的抗干燥性。本文报道的方法为研究昆虫生命周期中 CHC 的生物合成和功能提供了一种新方法。