Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are important, multi-function components of the insect epicuticle. In Drosophila spp., CHCs provide protection from desiccation and serve as semiochemicals for both intra- and interspecific communication. We developed a non-lethal method for the modification of Drosophila CHCs profiles through the exposure of live insects to a high dose of ozone gas (~ 45,000 ppm). Drosophila suzukii that were treated with ozone showed a 1.63–3.10 fold reduction in unsaturated hydrocarbons with these CHCs shown to regenerate over 108 h. Changes in CHCs were correlated with significantly reduced desiccation resistance in both male and female D. suzukii at one h after ozone treatment. Interestingly, individuals treated with ozone showed increased desiccation resistance in comparison to controls at 108 h after ozone treatment. The methodology reported in this paper provides a novel approach to investigate the biosynthesis and functions of CHCs during the lifespan of an insect.
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05 July 2021
Table 2 last 2 column were corrected due to misalignment of entries.
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Acknowledgements
Experiments were made possible with the help of Allison Fischer, Charlotte Schuttler, Elizabeth Szcepanski, Kyle Akred, Keith Koonter, Juan Huang, Ph.D., and Phil Fanning, Ph.D. Experiments were performed at the Organic Pest Management lab at Michigan State University directed by Matthew Grieshop, Ph.D.
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Organic Pest Management lab of the Entomology Department at Michigan State University.
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Benjamin Savage designed experiments, executed experiments, collected data, performed statistical analysis, wrote code for statistical analysis, developed figures, and wrote the article.
Zinan Wang provided methodological support for cuticular extractions, GC/MS set-up, and developed figures.
Susan Masten provided ozone concentration measurement equipment and scientific advice.
Henry Chung provided experimental design support.
Matthew Grieshop provided scientific leadership, equipment, and funding.
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Savage, B., Wang, Z., Chung, H. et al. An Ozonolysis Based Method and Applications for the Non-Lethal Modification of Insect Cuticular Hydrocarbons. J Chem Ecol 47, 628–641 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-021-01285-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-021-01285-8