Screening for effective odors through which Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) locates its host

Insect olfactory systems can efficiently distinguish important host signals in a complex background of odor. Notably, Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), a host-specific pest of Litchi chinensis and Euphoria longan, causes periodic outbreaks in southern China. However, little is known about the functions of host volatiles and olfactory mechanisms through which C. sinensis senses host taxa. Consequently, the present study analyzed the Electroantennogram (EAG) responses of C. sinensis antennae to host volatile compounds and their mixtures. The results showed that volatile components were more stimulatory to female than to male C. sinensis antennae. In addition, the highest EAG responses were observed following the stimulation of female antennae by the individual volatile component β-guaiene, followed by β-caryophyllene and β-elemene. However, odorant mixtures containing β-farnesene and α-pinene significantly altered EAG responses in female antennae. This was further confirmed by behavioral responses to host volatile compounds based on the flight orientation of females and males in a wind tunnel. These findings demonstrated that the behavior of C. sinensis can be affected by single compounds or a mixture of compounds. Moreover, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR suggested that a combination of α-pinene with β-farnesene could alter the expression of olfactory genes. Therefore, screening for odors that can effectively alter the behavior of insects provides a theoretical basis for exploring host recognition and utilizing the olfactory networks of C. sinensis for biocontrol, at the molecular level.