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A synergism between dimethyl trisulfide and methyl thiolacetate in attracting carrion-frequenting beetles demonstrated by use of a chemically-supplemented minimal trap

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Abstract

Volatile organic compounds derived from microbes recruit insects to carrion, shaping community assembly and ecological succession. The importance of individual volatiles and interactions between volatiles are difficult to assess in the field because of (1) the myriad compounds from decomposing animals and (2) the likelihood that complex volatile blends are important for the final approach to carrion. On the assumption that searching carrion-frequenting beetles may use simpler cues to orient at a distance, we employed a chemically-supplemented minimal trap that uses test chemicals associated with active decay to attract from a distance and a minimal carrion bait (a small fresh mouse carcass) to induce trap entry. Traps supplemented with both methyl thiolacetate (MeSAc) and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) attracted greater numbers of beetles including adult silphids (Necrophila americana and Oiceoptoma noveboracense) and the histerid Euspilotus assimilis than the combined totals of DMTS-only and MeSAc-only traps, demonstrating a synergism. The attraction of larval Necrophila americana to traps left in the field for less than 24 h suggests that larvae move between carrion sources. The use of such species for forensic applications requires caution.

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Data are available through Digital Commons (University of Connecticut) and the Open Science Framework.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Alfred Newton (staphylinids), Armin Moczek and Anna Macagno (scarabs) for their assistance with insect identification. Sandra Steiger kindly reviewed the manuscript. The Southern Connecticut Regional Water Authority and the Flanders Preserve granted permission for field experiments. The research was supported by the University of Connecticut Research Foundation.

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This work was supported by the University of Connecticut Research Foundation.

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  1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 99 E. Main St., Waterbury, CT, 06710, USA

    Stephen T. Trumbo & John A. Dicapua III

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  1. Stephen T. Trumbo
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  2. John A. Dicapua III
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ST and JD carried out the research and analyzed the data. ST planned and designed the research and wrote the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Stephen T. Trumbo.

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This research is covered under IACUC-2 guidelines (E16-006) administered by The University of Connecticut (#A3124-01).

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Communicated by Günther Raspotnig.

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Trumbo, S.T., Dicapua, J.A. A synergism between dimethyl trisulfide and methyl thiolacetate in attracting carrion-frequenting beetles demonstrated by use of a chemically-supplemented minimal trap. Chemoecology 31, 79–87 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-020-00330-4

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