Aromatized to find mates: α-pinene aroma boosts the mating success of adult olive fruit flies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Contrary to other Tephritidae, female but also male olive flies, Bactrocera oleae release pheromones during their sexual communication. Alpha-pinene, a common plant volatile found in high amounts in unripe olive fruit and leaves has been detected as one of the major components of the female pheromone. However, possible effects of α-pinene and that of other host volatiles on the mating behavior of the olive fly have not been investigated.

Methodology

Using wild olive flies, reared on olive fruit for 3 generations in the laboratory, we explored whether exposure of male and female olive flies to α-pinene affects their sexual performance.

Results

Exposure of sexually mature adult olive flies to the aroma of α-pinene significantly increases the mating performanc

SUBMITTER: Gerofotis CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3834339 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature