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Video ViewAttendees 2

Member Symposium

Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology

Heterospecific female pheromone of Drosophila melanogaster induce behavioral interference in Drosophila suzukii

Sunday, November 5, 2023
2:35 PM – 2:55 PM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Potomac C
In-Person
Host selection and oviposition are key for successful reproduction in Drosophilids. Given that oviposition sites often serve as larval development as well as adult mating sites, coexistence of closely related Drosophila species could lead to antagonistic behavior. Monitoring traps for Drosophila suzukii, an invasive global pest of soft fruits, often have D. melanogaster indicating coexistence. Besides, though D. suzukii prefer ripe and ripening stages, D. suzukii does oviposit on overripe and fermenting fruit stages, often preferred by D. melanogaster. Pre-exposure of substrates to D. melanogaster had been shown to averse oviposition in D. suzukii. We investigated the mechanism behind the aversion by testing oviposition behavior of D. suzukii on substrates treated with a female- and a male-specific pheromone of D. melanogaster. We show that the female-specific pheromone, (Z4)-4-undecenal (Z4-11Al), induces oviposition aversion and that knocking down olfactory co-receptor gene (Orco) eliminates the aversion towards Z4-11Al. Furthermore, using Hanseniaspora uvarum, a mutualistic and highly specific yeast for D. suzukii, we show that Z4-11Al antagonize attraction of D. suzukii in a flight tunnel and in baited monitoring traps. Taken together, our findings reveal an intriguing olfactory mechanism that accounts for oviposition avoidance by D. suzukii in the presence of D. melanogaster.