Impact of Nectar Composition and Nectar Yeasts on Volatile Emissions and Parasitoid Behavior.

ABSTRACT: Nectar yeasts can significantly influence the scent of floral nectar and therefore the foraging behavior of flower-visiting insects. While these effects likely depend on nectar chemistry and yeast species, their joint impact on nectar volatile profiles and associated insect responses remain poorly understood. Here, we used four synthetic nectar types varying in sugar and amino acid concentration and two specialist nectar yeasts (Metschnikowia gruessii and Metschnikowia reukaufii) to investigate how nectar composition and yeast species affect volatile profiles and the olfactory responses of the generalist aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi. Olfactometer assays showed that A. ervi females significantly preferred fermented nectars with high amino acid-low sugar content (HL) and low amino acid-hig

SUBMITTER: Sobhy IS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11885403 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature