Abstract
Volatile chemicals from Citrus and Salix host plants evoke orientation behavior in males of the species Anoplophora malasiaca (Thomson) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). These chemicals are emitted from wounded branches. We hypothesized that when released, these chemicals may indicate the presence of an individual to other conspecifics. Insects that originate from different host plants may use different plant chemicals from their own host to communicate with conspecifics. To further explore this theory, we investigated this communication system in a population of A. malasiaca from a third host plant, blueberry (Vaccinium spp.). Males from a blueberry host (Vaccinium population) were attracted to the odor of wounded Vaccinium branches when released near a female model in the laboratory, as has been observed in males found on Citrus and Salix host plants. The Vaccinium branch extract that was attractive to the males was separated into six fractions, of which two were active. Three active compounds were subsequently identified: β-caryophyllene and sulfur from the hexane fraction, and (E)-phytol in the weakly polar fraction. The latter two active compounds of Vaccinium branches were different from those found in Citrus and Salix.
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Acknowledgments
Special thanks are due to the students, parents, and teachers of the Ooshika Elementary School for collecting A. malasiaca beetles in the blueberry gardens. We thank Sadayasu Yanagishima of Ooshika Village, Sumie Shimizu and Kazuyo Taguchi of NIAS for providing the Vaccinium branches, and Tetsuya Yasuda of NARC for providing pure (E)-phytol. Thanks are also due to Seiji Tanaka, Koutaro Maeno, and Ken-ichi Harano of NIAS for invaluable discussions and critical comments. We also appreciate the improvements made to the manuscript by Serge Glushkoff.
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Fujiwara-Tsujii, N., Yasui, H., Wakamura, S. et al. The white-spotted longicorn beetle, Anoplophora malasiaca (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), with a blueberry as host plant, utilizes host chemicals for male orientation. Appl Entomol Zool 47, 103–110 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-012-0095-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-012-0095-9