Carmen Quero

Moths behaving like butterflies. Evolutionary loss of long range attractant pheromones in castniid moths: a Paysandisia archon model.

Background In the course of evolution butterflies and moths developed two different reproductive behaviors. Whereas butterflies rely on visual stimuli for mate location, moths use the ‘female calling plus male seduction’ system, in which females release long-range sex pheromones to attract conspecific males. There are few exceptions from this pattern but in all cases known female moths possess sex pheromone glands which apparently have been lost in female butterflies. In the day-flying moth family Castniidae (“butterfly-moths”), which includes some important crop pests, no pheromones have been found so far. Methodology/Principal Findings Using a multidisciplinary approach we described the steps involved in the courtship of P. archon, showing that visual cues are the only ones used for mate location; showed that the morphology and fine structure of the antennae of this moth are strikingly similar to those of butterflies, with male sensilla apparently not suited to detect female-released long range pheromones; showed that its females lack pheromone-producing glands, and identified three compounds as putative male sex pheromone (MSP) components of P. archon, released from the proximal halves of male forewings and hindwings. Conclusions/Significance This study provides evidence for the first time in Lepidoptera that females of a moth do not produce any pheromone to attract males, and that mate location is achieved only visually by patrolling males, which may release a pheromone at short distance, putatively a mixture of Z,E-farnesal, E,E-farnesal, and (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienol. The outlined behavior, long thought to be unique to butterflies, is likely to be widespread in Castniidae implying a novel, unparalleled butterfly-like reproductive behavior in moths. This will also have practical implications in applied entomology since it signifies that the monitoring/control of castniid pests should not be based on the use of female-produced pheromones, as it is usually done in many moths.

New identification of proanthocyanidins in cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.) using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry

The inner bark of Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.) is commonly used as a spice and has also been widely employed in the treatment and prevention of disease. The positive health effects associated with the consumption of cinnamon could in part be due to its phenolic composition; proanthocyanidins (PA) are the major polyphenolic component in commercial cinnamon. We present a thorough study of the PA profile of cinnamon obtained using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry. In addition to the advantages of MALDI-TOF as a sensitive technique for the analysis of high-molecular-weight compounds, the tandem arrangement allows the identification of the compounds through their fragmentation patterns from MS/MS experiments. This is the first time that this technique has been used to analyze polymeric PA. The results show that cinnamon PA are more complex than was previously thought. We show here for the first time that they contain (epi)gallocatechin and (epi)catechingallate units. As gallates (galloyl moieties) and the pyrogallol group in gallocatechins have been related to the biological activity of grape and tea polyphenols, the presence of these substructures may explain some of the properties of cinnamon extracts. MALDI-TOF/TOF reveals that cinnamon bark PA include combinations of (epi)catechin, (epi)catechingallate, (epi)gallocatechin, and (epi)afzelechin, which results in a highly heterogeneous mixture of procyanidins, prodelphinidins, and propelargonidins.

Behavioral responses ofSpodoptera littoralis males to sex pheromone components and virgin females in wind tunnel

The major component of the sex pheromone of femaleSpodoptera littoralis, (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate (1), elicited all steps of the male behavioral sequence, i.e., wing fanning and taking flight, oriented upwind flight and arrival to the middle of the tunnel, close approach and contact with the source. The activity was equivalent to that elicited by virgin females. In the range of doses tested, the dosage of1 had no significant effect on the number of source contacts. Male response was significantly affected by light intensity, being optimum at 3 lux. Activity of the minor components (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (2), (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (3), tetradecyl acetate (4), (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (5), and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (6) was significantly lower than that of the major component when assayed individually. In multicomponent blends compound4 appeared to strongly decrease the number of males arrested at the source, the effect being particularly important when compound5 was present in the blend. Results of single sensillum experiments confirmed the existence of two main physiologically distinct sensillar types. The most common type of sensilla contained a neuron that responded specifically to compound1. A second type of sensilla, located laterally on the ventral sensory surface, contained two receptor neurons responding to compound6 and to (Z)-9-tetradecenol. Among short sensilla, one hair responded to compound4 and could represent a minor sensillar type. No sensory neuron was found to detect the other minor pheromone compounds2, 3, and5.

New fluorinated derivatives as esterase inhibitors. Synthesis, hydration and crossed specificity studies

A variety of new fluorinated chemicals have been prepared for the first time and tested as inhibitors of esterases, one of the main enzymes involved in pheromone catabolism, in two economically important pests, the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis (SL) and the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides (SN). Using the respective major component of the pheromone as substrate, the K(m) and V(max) of the antennal esterase of both insects resulted to be 5.66 x 10(-4) M and 8.47 x 10(-6) Mmin(-1) for SL and 1.61 x 10(-7) M and 1.25 x 10(-7) Mmin(-1) for SN, pointing out that SN esterase has a higher affinity for its corresponding substrate than SL. In general, the trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) exhibited higher inhibitory potency than the corresponding difluoromethyl ketones (DFMKs) or difluoroaldehydes (DFAs). The compounds appeared to hydrate differently in aqueous solution, the extent of hydration following the order: alpha,alpha-DFMKs<alpha,alpha-difluoro-beta-thioalkylmethyl ketones<TFMKs<beta-thiotrifluoromethyl ketones<alpha,alpha-DFAs. No clear correlation has been found between the K(hyd) and the inhibitory potency and no specificity has been found when the chemicals were assayed on extracts of both insects.

Behavior of processionary males (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) induced by sex pheromone and analogs in a wind tunnel.

The behavioral response of processionary males (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) to the natural pheromone (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynyl acetate (1) and structurally related analogs in a wind tunnel is presented. Stereomerically pureZ-1 and a mixture with theE isomer in 80:20 ratio elicited similar attraction responses at 1 µg and higher. The activity was dose-dependent, being optimum at 1 µg with 90% and 80% of males contacting with the source in the presence of theZ-1 andZ/E-1, respectively. 11-Hexadecynyl acetate (2) functioned as a pheromone mimic, being able to induce the complete mate-finding behavioral sequence, although its activity was much lower than that of the pheromone. (Z)-13-Hexadecen-11-ynyl alcohol (3) and, particularly, (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynal (4) were potent inhibitors of the upwind flight response in mixtures withZ-1 in 99:1, 95:5, and 91:9 ratios. (Z)-1,1,1-Trifluoro-16-nonadecen-14-yn-2-one (5) also inhibited the response of males to pheromone, particularly in the source contact behavior. Comparison with activity displayed by analogs in field tests is also reported.

Electrophysiological and Behavioral Responses of the Black-Banded Oak Borer, Coroebus florentinus, to Conspecific and Host-Plant Volatiles

Aspects of the chemical ecology of the black-banded oak borer, (BBOB) Coroebus florentinus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), were studied. Odors produced by males and females were similar, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Nonanal, decanal, and geranylacetone, identified in the headspace of both sexes, elicited strong electroantennographic responses from male antennae, but not from female antennae. In dual-choice olfactometer experiments, a blend of these three compounds was attractive to both sexes; males responded to decanal alone, while females responded to geranylacetone alone, suggesting that these compounds are responsible for activity of the blend to the respective sexes. Antennae of both sexes responded electroantennographically to the green leaf volatiles (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenol, 1-hexanol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, and n-hexyl acetate, all identified from the host plant Quercus suber. In behavioral experiments, only females were attracted to host-plant odors, and in tests with synthetic compounds, females were attracted to (E)-2-hexenol, 1-hexanol, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. It is likely that these compounds play a role in foraging and/or oviposition behavior of BBOB females.

Reinvestigation of Female Sex Pheromone of Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa): No Evidence for Minor Components

The female sex pheromone of the processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa has been reinvestigated to look for possible minor components. Examination by GC-MS and GC-EAD of the contents of virgin female glands, after stimulation with PBAN (pheromone-biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide), showed that the major component, (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynyl acetate (1), appears to be the only pheromone compound present in the gland. Comparison of female attractivity with that of the natural extract and synthetic (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynyl acetate showed that this chemical is able to elicit a similar activity to that displayed by virgin females in a wind tunnel. In single cell recording experiments, two specialist receptor cell types were found in the trichoid sensilla. One cell type was tuned to enyne acetate 1. The other one was tuned to (Z,Z)-11,13- hexadecadienal and (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynal, the major components of the pheromone blend of other Thaumetopoea spp., and constitutes a further example of interspecific inhibitor receptor cells. Our results show that the processionary moth may not need minor components for successful mate recognition.

Semiochemical and natural product-based approaches to control Spodoptera spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The genus Spodoptera contains some of the most destructive crop pests in the world owing to the worldwide distribution of the different species and their wide host ranges. Uses of semiochemicals for insect control have been recently reviewed, but strategies developed specifically against Spodoptera species are scarce. In this review, we present an updated account of the semiochemicals and other natural product-based approaches to monitor and control the most damaging Spodoptera spp. In general, successful control of Spodoptera littoralis, S. frugiperda, S. litura, and S. exigua have been reported through mass trapping, mating disruption, and attract-and-kill methods. An updated survey of the pheromone components of these species and an outlook of future perspectives against these pests are also outlined.

Expression of differential antennal proteins in males and females of an important crop pest, Sesamia nonagrioides

Pest damage causes important decrease in crop yield every year all over the world, particularly by Lepidoptera. Characterization of the antennal proteins implicated in the reproduction of Lepidoptera will help to develop new methods for pest management and contribute to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity maintenance. We present herein the characterization of some antennal proteins of Sesamia nonagrioides by proteomic techniques such as two-dimensional electrophoresis, MALDI-TOF MS, and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The antennal proteins expressed in both sexes were analyzed and more than 800 spots were detected, finding 16 proteins differentially expressed between males and females. Most of the identified proteins were involved in olfaction. High levels of pheromone binding proteins (PBP1 and PBP2) were found as expected in males, but also in female antennae, although females did not electrophysiologically respond to their own pheromone. General odorant binding proteins (GOBP1 and GOBP2) were preferentially expressed in females but high levels were also detected in males. The expression was remarkably high in both sexes along the complete photoperiod. A sensitive proteomic methodology was developed to identify antennal proteins.

Evidence for (E )-pityol as an aggregation pheromone of Pityophthorus pubescens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Abstract We present evidence favoring the use of (E)-pityol as an aggregation pheromone in Pityophthorus pubescens (Marsham). (E)-Pityol was detected in effluvia of male and female P. pubescens, and antennae of both sexes responded to (E)-(+)-pityol in electroantennogram assays. In two-choice olfactometer tests, males significantly preferred (E)-(+)-pityol and (E)-(±)-pityol to blank controls at doses of 1, 10, and 100 ng, whereas females only showed a preference for (E)-pityol at the 1 ng dose.