Behavioral and olfactory responses of drosophilid parasitoids to SWD-infested fruit volatiles

Abstract

We studied the behavioural and electrophysiological responses of drosophilid parasitoids to volatiles from SWD-infested strawberries. Fruit volatiles were analysed by GC-MS and evaluated by GC-EAD with antennae of Trichopria anastrephae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) and Leptopilina boulardi (Hymenoptera: Figitidae). Behavioural responses were studied for T. anastrephae by olfactometry bioassays. Both parasitoid species showed consistent EAD responses to common fruit esters that were more prominent in volatiles from SWD-infested fruit, in comparison with healthy fruit. In behavioural studies, T. anastrephae females showed clear preference for fruit odours from SWD-infested strawberries over odours from healthy fruit. These results are the first report of GC-EAD responses of potential SWD parasitoids to host-associated chemical cues.