Kiyoshi Nakamuta

Female Sex Pheromone of a Carpenter Moth, Cossus insularis (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

This study describes the identification of a sex pheromone component of a cossid moth, Cossus insularis. Coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD) analysis of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) collections of volatiles released by live female moths showed that two compounds elicited EAG responses from the antennae of male moths. These compounds were identified as (E)-3-tetradecenyl acetate (E3-14:Ac) and (Z)-3-tetradecenyl acetate (Z3-14:Ac) by mass spectral analysis and retention index comparisons with synthetic standards. The ratio of E3-14:Ac and Z3-14:Ac was 95:5 in the effluvia of a female. In field bioassays, sticky traps baited with blends of E3-14:Ac and Z3-14:Ac showed that E3-14:Ac is an essential component of the pheromone. However, the role of Z3-14:Ac is unclear, because E3-14:Ac as a single component was as attractive to male moths as blends of E3-14:Ac and Z3-14:Ac, including the 95:5 blend released by live female moths.

Identification of a pheromone component and a critical synergist for the invasive beetle callidiellum rufipenne (coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Abstract The invasive Asian cerambycid beetle Callidiellum rufipenne (Motschulsky), informally known as the Japanese cedar longhorned beetle, was first detected in North America in North Carolina in 1997. The beetle has since been detected in neighboring states and is expected to further expand its range. However, delineating the current distribution of C. rufipenne has been hindered by the lack of efficient sampling methods. Here, we present the results of research on the chemistry of volatile pheromones of C. rufipenne. Analyses of headspace odors revealed that males produce (R)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one, with lesser amounts of (S)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one, and (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxyhexan-3-one. In field bioassays conducted over several years in Connecticut, where populations of the beetle were well established, no reconstructed blend of these compounds was significantly attractive to beetles of either sex. However, during field trials in Japan that targeted another species, we discovered that adult male and female C. rufipenne were attracted to a blend of racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and a novel natural product, 1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1,2-propanedione. Attraction to (R)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and the pyrrole subsequently was confirmed in field trials in Connecticut. Although it is unclear why the pyrrole acts as a synergist for a species that apparently does not produce it, the serendipitous discovery that adult C. rufipenne are attracted by the blend of ketone and pyrrole provides a badly needed method for monitoring its ongoing range expansion within North America, and for detecting new introductions in other parts of the world.

Morphology of Antennal Sensilla, Distribution and Sexual Dimorphism in Trogossita japonica (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae)

Abstract The number, external morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of a predatory beetle, Trogossita japonica Reitter, were determined using scanning electron microscopy. A sexual dimorphism in antennal structure and in types and number of sensilla, indicative of their differential functions in the sexes, was apparent. The club segments have dense receptor fields composed of several distinct sensilla, and the terminal segment consists of a variety of sensory structures at maximum density. There was also a great difference in the numbers of certain types of sensilla on male and female club segments. A major difference occurred in the number of sensilla basiconica type 1, which are ≈150 in number, present on male terminal segment and none on the female. Sensilla basiconica type 3 on the terminal segment of the females were seven times more prevalent than in males, indicating their role in host volatile identification. A unique kind of sensilla basiconica pegs, with a terminal nipple and with several of them arranged in clusters in deep pits, were observed on the surface of the club segments in both sexes.

Candidate Attractant Pheromones of Two Potentially Invasive Asian Cerambycid Species in the Genus Xylotrechus.

ABSTRACT Research during the 1980s showed that male Xylotrechus pyrrhoderus Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a vineyard pest, produce (2S,3S)-2,3-octanediol and (S)-2-hydroxyoctan-3-one as possible pheromone components, but to our knowledge, field tests were not carried out.We confirmed that at least female X. pyrrhoderus were attracted by a 1:1 blend of these two compounds in field trials in Japan. Furthermore, more than 200 males and females of the congener Xylotrechus rufilius Bates were attracted by racemic 2-hydroxyoctan-3-one, and inhibited by syn-2,3-octanediol. Adult X. rufilius recently were intercepted in a shipment from China entering Baltimore, Maryland, raising concerns that this polyphagous species could establish in North America. Our results suggest that traps baited with 2-hydroxyoctan-3-one would be a valuable tool to assess whether X. rufilius has indeed become established, and to monitor for future introductions of X. rufilius.

Mating disruption controls the cherry tree borer, Synanthedon hector (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), in a steep orchard of cherry trees

Mating disruption of the cherry tree borer, Synanthedon hector (Butler), with synthetic sex attractant was conducted for 6 years to test the efficiency of the method to control the borer population on the slopes in the Cherry Tree Forest of Tama Forest Science Garden, Hachioji, Tokyo. No male adult moth has been captured in traps baited with the synthetic attractant since the commencement of the control. The incidence of attack decreased to a low level in the third year and has remained low thereafter, indicating the effectiveness of mating disruption in controlling the borer population.

Ants Learn Aphid Species as Mutualistic Partners: Is the Learning Behavior Species-Specific?

In ant-aphid associations, many aphid species provide ants with honeydew and are tended by ants, whereas others are never tended and are frequently preyed upon by ants. In these relationships, ants must have the ability to discriminate among aphid species, with mutualistic aphids being accepted as partners rather than prey. Although ants reportedly use cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) of aphids to differentiate between mutualistic and non-mutualistic species, it is unclear whether the ability to recognize mutualistic aphid species as partners is innate or involves learning. Therefore, we tested whether aphid recognition by ants depends on learning, and whether the learning behavior is species-specific. When workers of the ant Tetramorium tsushimae had previously tended the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora, they were less aggressive toward this species. In addition, ants also reduced their aggressiveness toward another mutualistic aphid species, Aphis fabae, after tending A. craccivora, whereas ants remained aggressive toward the non-mutualistic aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, regardless of whether or not they had previous experience in tending A. craccivora. When ants were offered glass dummies treated with CHCs of these aphid species, ants that had tended A. craccivora displayed reduced aggression toward CHCs of A. craccivora and A. fabae. Chemical analyses showed the similarity of the CHC profiles between A. craccivora and A. fabae but not with A. pisum. These results suggest that aphid recognition of ants involves learning, and that the learning behavior may not be species-specific because of the similarity of CHCs between different aphid species with which they form mutualisms.

Responses of a predatory bug to a mixture of herbivore-induced plant volatiles from multiple plant species

The attractiveness of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) from a specific plant species to natural enemies has been well established. However, under natural conditions and polycultural agriculture systems, the interactions among trophic levels are thought to be more complex. For instance, complex mixtures of volatiles emitted from diverse host plant species infested by polyphagous herbivores might affect responses of natural enemies. In this study, we investigated whether a mixture of HIPVs emitted from herbivore-damaged multiple host plant species affect responses of a predatory bug. Therefore, we report (1) olfactory responses of the predatory bug (Orius strigicollis) to volatiles emitted from cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) first instar larvae-damaged multiple plant species (tomato, French bean and sweet corn), (2) chemical analyses of volatiles emitted from the three plant species exposed to different treatments and (3) olfactory responses of the predators to a reconstituted HIPV blend from multiple plant species based on chemical analyses. O. strigicollis significantly preferred volatiles emanating from H. armigera-damaged multiple plant species to volatiles emanating from a single plant species. In all the three plant species, H. armigera-damaged seedlings emitted significantly a greater amount of volatiles as well as a larger number of volatile compounds than an undamaged or a mechanically injured seedling. The predators preferred the reconstituted HIPVs from multiple plant species to the reconstituted HIPVs from a single plant species. Thus, the mixture of HIPVs from multiple plant species enhanced the attractiveness to the predators.

Do Aphid Carcasses on the Backs of Larvae of Green Lacewing Work as Chemical Mimicry against Aphid-Tending Ants?

Ants attack and exclude natural enemies of aphids in ant–aphid mutualisms. However, larvae of the green lacewing, Mallada desjardinsi, prey on the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora, without exclusion by aphid-tending ants. Lacewing larvae are protected from ants by carrying aphid carcasses on their backs. Here, we tested whether cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) of aphid carcasses affected the aggressiveness of aphid-tending ants. Aphid carcasses were washed with n-hexane to remove lipids. Lacewing larvae with washed aphid carcasses were attacked by aphid-tending ants more frequently than those with untreated aphid carcasses. We measured the aggressiveness of aphid-tending ants to lacewing larvae that were either carrying a piece of cotton wool (a dummy aphid carcass) treated with CHCs from aphids or lacewing larvae, or carrying aphid carcasses. The rates of attack by ants on lacewing larvae carrying CHCs of aphids or aphid carcasses were lower than that of attack on lacewing larvae with conspecific CHCs. Chemical analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showed similarity of CHCs between aphids and aphid carcasses. These results suggest that aphid carcasses on the backs of lacewing larvae function via chemical camouflage to limit attacks by aphid-tending ants.

Efficacy of Chemical Mimicry by Aphid Predators Depends on Aphid-Learning by Ants.

Chemical mimicry is an effective strategy when signal receivers recognize and discriminate models by relying on chemical cues. Some aphid enemies mimic the cuticular chemicals of aphids through various means thus avoiding detection and attack by aphid-tending ants. However, because ants have been reported to learn the chemical signatures of aphids in order to distinguish the aphids, the efficacy of chemical mimicry is predicted to depend on the experience of the ants that had tended aphids. The present study tested this hypothesis using two predator species: larvae of the green lacewing Mallada desjardinsi, and larvae of the ladybeetle Scymnus posticalis. Lacewing larvae carry the carcasses of aphids on which they have preyed upon their backs, and these function via chemical camouflage to reduce the aggressiveness of aphid-tending ants toward the larvae. Ladybeetle larvae reportedly produce a covering of wax structures, and their chemicals appear to attenuate ant aggression. We examined whether the behavior of the ant Tetramorium tsushimae toward these predators changed depending on their aphid-tending experience. Ants moderated their aggressiveness toward both predators when they had previously tended aphids, indicating that chemical mimicry by both aphid predators is dependent on previous experience of the ants in tending aphids. Chemical mimicry by the predators of ant-tended aphids is therefore considered to exploit learning-dependent aphid recognition systems of ants.

A mixture of herbivore-induced plant volatiles from multiple host plant species enhances the attraction of a predatory bug under field-cage conditions

Plants respond to herbivore attack by emitting a blend of volatiles called herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which attract arthropod natural enemies. Under natural conditions and multiple cropping agriculture systems, natural enemies are thought to encounter a mixture of HIPVs emanating from multiple plant species. The effect of such a mixture of HIPVs on the responses of natural enemies under field conditions has not been explored. Our study assessed whether a mixture of HIPVs from multiple host plant species influenced predator responses in field-cage conditions. We investigated (1) foraging behaviors of a predatory bug, Orius strigicollis, on cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) larvae-infested multiple host plant species, and (2) the attractiveness of a mixture of reconstituted HIPVs from multiple plant species to O. strigicollis in outdoor cages. Significantly, greater numbers of predators were attracted to H. armigera-infested multiple plant species. The predators exterminated significantly greater numbers of H. armigera larvae with the multiple versus single plant species treatments. Significantly, greater numbers of O. strigicollis were captured on traps baited with the mixture of reconstituted HIPVs from multiple versus single plant species. The enhanced attractiveness of a mixture of HIPVs from multiple plant species to O. strigicollis might be the result of an additive effect of HIPVs from the three plant species when combined in a mixture.