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Bioactive Male-Produced Volatiles from Anastrepha obliqua and their Role in Attraction of Conspecific Females

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Abstract

The study of insect semiochemicals, especially pheromones, is of fundamental importance for the development of strategies for controlling agricultural pests. In this study, volatile compounds involved in the communication between males and females of the fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae), for mating purposes were characterized to develop attractant formulations for females of this species. Extracts containing volatile compounds released by males of A. obliqua were obtained by the dynamic headspace technique and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with an electroantennographic detector (GC-EAD) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty-one volatile compounds were identified in the aeration extracts of males. Five of them caused EAD responses from the antennae of females: 1-heptanol, linalool, (Z)-3-nonen-1-ol, (E,Z)-3,6-nonadien-1-ol, and (Z,E)-α-farnesene. Six synthetic mixtures of these compounds, including the five-component blend and all possible four-component blends, were formulated in a biopolymer and used in behavioral bioassays conducted in the laboratory arena with conspecific virgin females. One blend of 1-heptanol, linalool, (Z)-3-nonen-1-ol, and (Z,E)-α-farnesene attracted more females than the collection of volatiles from virgin males used as control. The other mixtures were as attractive to A. obliqua females as the control treatment. This study indicates potential for use of these compounds in monitoring and control strategies for this pest.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for the financial support given to DMAFN (grant numbers: 422233/2018-8, 303404/2019-1; Ph.D scholarships given to NCA, LLF and RFT and a research fellowships given to RRN and FCAG (grant numbers: 304038/2017-2 and 308858/2019-0 and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for a MSc scholarship granted to CSS. A patent application has been filed for this discovery.

Funding

This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (URL: www.cnpq.br) (grant numbers: 304038/2017–2; 422233/2018–8 e 303404/2019–1). NCA, LLF, RFT received fellowships from Conselho Nacional de desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) during their Ph.D and CSS was a recipient of a scholarship from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) (URL:www.capes.gov.br) during her Ms.C. RRN. FCAG are CNPq fellows. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Ecology Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus Maceió, Lourival de Melo Mota Avenue, Tabuleiro do Martins, Maceió, Alagoas, 57072-970, Brazil

    Nathaly C. De Aquino, Luana L. Ferreira, Raphael Tavares, Claudinete S. Silva & Ruth R. Do Nascimento

  2. Tiradentes University Center, Maceió Unit, 5017 Gustavo Paiva Avenue, Cruz das Almas, Maceió, Alagoas, 57038-000, Brazil

    Adriana Mendonça

  3. Insect Behavioral Ecology Laboratory. Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Barão do Jeremoabo Street, Ondina University Campus, Salvador, Bahia, 40.170-115, Brazil

    Iara Sordi Joachim-Bravo

  4. Chemical Ecology Laboratory, Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, 1235 Professor Moraes Rego Avenue, University City, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil

    Paulo Milet-Pinheiro

  5. Ecology Laboratory, University of Pernambuco, Campus Petrolina, BR 203 Highway, Km 2, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56328-903, Brazil

    Paulo Milet-Pinheiro & Daniela Navarro

  6. Microsystems of Analysis Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus Maceió, Lourival de Melo Mota Avenue, Tabuleiro do Martins, Maceió, Alagoas, 57072-970, Brazil

    Fabiane C. De Abreu Galdino

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  1. Nathaly C. De Aquino
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  2. Luana L. Ferreira
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  3. Raphael Tavares
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  4. Claudinete S. Silva
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  5. Adriana Mendonça
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  6. Iara Sordi Joachim-Bravo
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  7. Paulo Milet-Pinheiro
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  8. Daniela Navarro
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  9. Fabiane C. De Abreu Galdino
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  10. Ruth R. Do Nascimento
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Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: Ruth Rufino do Nascimento, Adriana de Lima Mendonça.

Performed the experiments: Nathaly Costa de Aquino, Luana Lima Ferreira, Raphael de Farias Tavares. Claudinete dos Santos Silva.

Analyzed the data: Nathaly Costa de Aquino, Raphael de Farias Tavares, Paulo Milet-Pinheiro.

Contributed reagents/materials/analytical tools: Fabiane Caxico de Abreu Galdino, Paulo Milet-Pinheiro, Daniela Maria do Amaral F. Navarro, Iara Sordi Joachim-Bravo.

Wrote, review and edited the paper: Ruth Rufino do Nascimento, Nathaly Costa de Aquino, Paulo Milet-Pinheiro, Iara Sordi Joachim-Bravo, Raphael de Farias Tavares.

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Correspondence to Ruth R. Do Nascimento.

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De Aquino, N.C., Ferreira, L.L., Tavares, R. et al. Bioactive Male-Produced Volatiles from Anastrepha obliqua and their Role in Attraction of Conspecific Females. J Chem Ecol 47, 167–174 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-021-01248-z

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