Influence of Endogenous Bacteria on Behavioral Responses in Leptocybe invasa: An Analysis of mVOCs
1
Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory for Cultivation and Utilization of Subtropical Forest Plantation, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
2
Ecological Environment Monitoring and Scientific Research Center, Yellow River Basin Ecology and Environment Administration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou 450004, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2024, 15(6), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060455
Submission received: 25 March 2024
/
Revised: 16 May 2024
/
Accepted: 14 June 2024
/
Published: 16 June 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Behavior and Pathology)
Simple Summary
This study investigates the impact of the mVOCs emanating from nine cultivable endogenous bacteria within Leptocybe invasa on the host’s behavioral selection.
Abstract
Microorganisms within insects play a vital role in maintaining the basal physiological functions of the insects, with olfactory signals as critical components of insect survival strategies. Leptocybe invasa (L. invasa), an invasive alien pest inflicting significant damage to eucalyptus trees, harbors a rich and varied bacterial community within its body. However, the impact of its endogenous bacteria and their microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (mVOCs) on the behavioral preferences of L. invasa remains unexplored to date. This study focused on nine cultivable and dominant endogenous bacterial strains within L. invasa. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, we investigated the behavioral responses of female L. invasa to the mVOCs emitted by these bacteria. Concurrently, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was employed to quantify the mVOCs produced by these endogenous bacteria. Our findings revealed that Staphylococcus sp. exhibited the highest attractiveness of L. invasa, whereas Microbacterium sp. and E. cloacae exerted the most significant avoidance effects. The analysis of the mVOCs further highlighted the significance of aldehyde compounds, notably 2,3,6-trichlorobenzaldehyde, and alkane compounds, such as eicosane, in mediating the repellency and attraction effects. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the invasion mechanism of L. invasa and provide a scientific basis for developing novel biopesticides or elicitors.
