ARS | Publication request: Electroantennography for evaluation of food-based attractants for pest Tephritidae

Submitted to: Fruit Flies of Economic Importance International Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 25, 2010
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Epsky, N.D., Heath, R.R. 2010. Electroantennography for evaluation of food-based attractants for pest Tephritidae. Fruit Flies of Economic Importance International Symposium. Valencia, Spain. 9/26 through 10/1/2010.

Technical Abstract: Background: Anastrepha fruit flies are serious economic pests of fruit crops throughout the American tropics and subtropics. Current trapping systems utilize synthetic lures that emit ammonia and other attractant chemicals that function as protein feeding cues. However, fly captures are variable with synthetic lures, and this variability does not appear to be correlated solely with ammonia release rate. The need for improved attractants prompted research using electroantennography (EAG), a technique that measures response of antennal olfactory receptors to volatile chemical stimuli. Methods: All EAG analyses were conducted with a Syntech system (Hilversum, The Netherlands) using laboratory-reared adults (of known age and physiological state) of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). Antennae were presented with quantified chemical samples in saturated vapor form, and EAG responses were recorded and normalized relative to a standard reference chemical (20 µl 2-butanone). Results: To date, our group has quantified antennal response of male and female A. suspensa to ammonia, carbon dioxide, ammonium bicarbonate, 2-butanone, 3-methyl-1-butanol, putrescine, cadaverine, and homologous terminal diamines. Analysis of the amplitude of EAG response has provided information on appropriate doses and combinations of chemicals needed to elicit optimal antennal response. Comparative EAG has identified several factors that contribute to the variability in fly response to known food-based attractants, including sex, age, nutritional requirements, and reproductive status. In addition, EAG has provided insight into the antennal chemoreceptors involved in detection of semiochemicals, and has identified potential new fruit fly attractants. Conclusions: Quantitative electroantennography is a valuable tool for evaluation of peripheral olfactory response of tephritid flies to potential attractants. Information obtained from EAG analysis will be used to determine relationships between antennal sensitivity to food-based attractants and efficacy of those compounds when deployed in traps for capture of pest species. Key words: Anastrepha suspensa, electroantennography, olfaction, synthetic lures, food-based attractants