ß-cyclocitral synergizes the response of adult Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) to fruit juices and isoamyl acetate in a sex-dependent manner

Authors: PINERO, JAIME - University Of Massachusetts, Amherst; FOLEY, NICOLE - University Of Massachusetts, Amherst; BARRETT, BRUCE - University Of Missouri; BOLTON, GRANT - University Of Missouri; Follett, Peter

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2019
Publication Date: 7/22/2019
Citation: Pinero, J.C., Foley, N., Barrett, B.A., Bolton, G., Follett, P.A. 2019. ß-cyclocitral synergizes the response of adult Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) to fruit juices and isoamyl acetate in a sex-dependent manner. Scientific Reports. 9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47081-z.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47081-z

Interpretive Summary: Chemical cues are considered to play a pivotal role in the location, evaluation and utilization of hosts by herbivorous insects. Key to the development of attractive lures and baits for insect pests is thedetermination, at the level of behavior, of the types of interactions existing between components. In multiple-choice bioassays, we (1) evaluated the attractiveness of five commercially available fruit juices to male and female Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), an invasive insect that has reached world-wide pest status, (2) characterized the male and female response to foliage- and fruit-based synthetic compounds tested alone and in association with the grape and tart cherry juices, and (3) assessed whether synergistic interactions among olfactory stimuli are involved in the olfactory-driven behavior of D. suzukii. Our findings established (1) the attractiveness of grape, tart cherry, and pomegranate juice to male and female D. suzukii, (2) a significant attraction of females (but not males) to ß-cyclocitral and isoamyl acetate when tested singly against mineral oil (control), and no difference in male and female response to ß-cyclocitral and isoamyl acetate when tested against each other, (3) synergistic interactions between ß-cyclocitral and fruit juices for female but not male D. suzukii, and (4)synergistic interactions between ß-cyclocitral and isoamyl acetate but only in the case of males. Our findings increase our understanding of male and female D. suzukii foraging behavior in response to synthetic compounds and natural juices as sources of attractants. Combinations of foliage- and fruit-based compounds may be needed to elicit increased SWD attraction.

Technical Abstract: Chemical cues are considered to play a pivotal role in the location, evaluation and utilization of hosts by herbivorous insects. Key to the development of attractive lures and baits for insect pests is the determination, at the level of behavior, of the types of interactions existing between components. In multiple-choice bioassays, we (1) evaluated the attractiveness of five commercially available fruit juices to male and female Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), an invasive insect that has reached world-wide pest status, (2) characterized the male and female response to foliage- and fruit-based synthetic compounds tested alone and in association with the grape and tart cherry juices, and (3) assessed whether synergistic interactions among olfactory stimuli are involved in the olfactory-driven behavior of D. suzukii. Our findings established (1) the attractiveness of grape, tart cherry, and pomegranate juice to male and female D. suzukii, (2) a significant attraction of females (but not males) to ß-cyclocitral and isoamyl acetate when tested singly against mineral oil (control), and no difference in male and female response to ß-cyclocitral and isoamyl acetate when tested against each other, (3) synergistic interactions between ß-cyclocitral and fruit juices for female but not male D. suzukii, and (4) synergistic interactions between ß-cyclocitral and isoamyl acetate but only in the case of males. Our findings increase our understanding of male and female D. suzukii foraging behavior in response to synthetic compounds and natural juices as sources of attractants. Combinations of foliage- and fruit-based compounds may be needed to elicit increased SWD attraction.