Summary
The present study aimed to test the possible function of the aphid alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene (EBF) as a host finding kairomone for aphid primary parasitoids. Extracts of volatile emissions of undisturbed aphids and of aphids under parasitoid attack were obtained by air entrainment. Extracts of cornicle secretions were gained by disturbing aphids and taking their secretions into solution. Extracts were compared by gas chromatography. Only air entrainments of aphids under attack and solvent extracts of cornicle secretions contained the alarm pheromone. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, femaleA. uzbekistanicus were attracted to aphid groups under attack of parasitoids, presumably by released EBF. High concentrations of synthetic EBF (1.4 µg to 5.7 µg) also attractedA. uzbekistanicus females. Females with oviposition experience reacted more readily to lower concentrations of EBF than females without experience. In experiments designed as Petri-dish bioassays, the test animals could contact filter paper discs that were treated with solutions containing EBF. Behavioural effects like antennation or stinging attack were not observed. With computer video analysis of parasitoid movements, some effects onA. uzbekistanicus behaviour were detected, again indicating attraction to EBF.
As the volatile aphid alarm pheromone attractedA. uzbekistanicus females, it can be concluded that this chemical stimulus acts as a host finding kairomone for this parasitoid species. However, its effect over long distances seems to be limited due to the relatively high concentrations required for reactions. Of two other parasitoid species examined (P. volucre andL. testaceipes) onlyP. volucre was also significantly attracted to the volatile EBF in the Y-tube olfactometer.
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Micha, S.G., Wyss, U. Aphid alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene: A host finding kairomone for the aphid primary parasitoidAphidius uzbekistanicus (Hymenoptera: Aphidiinae). Chemoecology 7, 132–139 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245965
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245965