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Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of Triatoma brasiliensis Males to Volatiles Produced in the Metasternal Glands of Females

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Abstract

In many insects, mate finding is mediated by volatile sex pheromones, but evidence for this phenomenon in triatomines (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) is still fragmentary. Recently, it was shown that metasternal glands (MGs) are involved in producing signals related to the sexual communication of Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus. Based on this, we tested whether MG volatiles could be involved in the sexual communication of Triatoma brasiliensis. Odor-mediated orientation responses were studied by using a T-tube olfactometer. These tests showed that males exhibit positive anemotaxis when confronted with adult odor-laden air currents. Moreover, females that had their metasternal glands occluded did not elicit significant orientation by males. Compounds produced by the MGs of T. brasiliensis females were identified by means of SPME, GC-FID, and GC-MS, with achiral and chiral columns. All substances identified were ketones and alcohols, and similar compound profiles were found in the secretions produced by both sexes. The most abundant compounds identified were 3-pentanone, followed by (4R)-methyl-1-heptanol, 3-pentanol, and (2S)-methyl-1-butanol. In addition, GC-EAD recordings showed that the antennae of males responded to several of the main components of female MG secretions. Our results showed that compounds produced by the MGs of T. brasiliensis females are involved in the sexual communication of this species.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to FAPEMIG, CNPq and FIOCRUZ for financial support. This work was also supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and by the University of Kalmar (Sweden). The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand provided some research facilities for BB and CRU. ACRV wishes to thank Mr. Arnaldo Aroeira for his kind support on drawing the olfactometer scheme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, 30.190-002, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Ana C. R. Vitta & Marcelo G. Lorenzo

  2. School of Pure and Applied Natural Sciences, University of Kalmar, SE-391 82, Kalmar, Sweden

    Björn Bohman & C Rikard Unelius

  3. The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Canterbury Research Centre, Lincoln, 7608, New Zealand

    C Rikard Unelius

Authors
  1. Ana C. R. Vitta
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  2. Björn Bohman
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  3. C Rikard Unelius
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  4. Marcelo G. Lorenzo
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Correspondence to Marcelo G. Lorenzo.

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Vitta, A.C.R., Bohman, B., Unelius, C.R. et al. Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of Triatoma brasiliensis Males to Volatiles Produced in the Metasternal Glands of Females. J Chem Ecol 35, 1212–1221 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-009-9709-2

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