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Palma-Onetto V, Bergmann J, González-Teuber M. Mode of action, chemistry and defensive efficacy of the osmeterium in the caterpillar Battus polydamas archidamas. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6644. [PMID: 37095102 PMCID: PMC10126055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33390-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical secretions are one of the main defensive mechanisms in insects. The osmeterium is a unique organ in larvae of Papilionidae (Lepidoptera), which is everted upon disturbance, secreting odoriferous volatiles. Here, using larvae of the specialized butterfly Battus polydamas archidamas (Papilionidae: Troidini), we aimed to understand the mode of action of the osmeterium, the chemical composition and origin of the secretion, as well as its defensive efficiency against a natural predator. We described osmeterium's morphology, ultramorphology, structure, ultrastructure, and chemistry. Additionally, behavioral assays of the osmeterial secretion against a predator were developed. We showed that the osmeterium is composed of tubular arms (made up by epidermal cells) and of two ellipsoid glands, which possess a secretory function. The eversion and retraction of the osmeterium are dependent on the internal pressure generated by the hemolymph, and by longitudinal muscles that connect the abdomen with the apex of the osmeterium. Germacrene A was the main compound present in the secretion. Minor monoterpenes (sabinene and ß-pinene) and sesquiterpenes ((E)-β-caryophyllene, selina-3,7(11)-diene, and other some unidentified compounds) were also detected. Only sesquiterpenes (with the exception of (E)-β-caryophyllene) are likely to be synthesized in the osmeterium-associated glands. Furthermore, the osmeterial secretion proved to deter predatory ants. Our results suggest that the osmeterium, besides serving as an aposematic warning for enemies, is an efficient chemical defense, with its own synthesis of irritant volatiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Palma-Onetto
- Departamento de Química Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica de La Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| | - Jan Bergmann
- Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Marcia González-Teuber
- Departamento de Química Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica de La Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Ehlers S, Schulz S. The scent chemistry of butterflies. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 40:794-818. [PMID: 36420976 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00067a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Butterflies use structurally highly diverse volatile compounds for communication, in addition to visual signals. These compounds originate from plants or a formed de novo especially by male butterflies that possess specific scent organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ehlers
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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An IDS-Type Sesquiterpene Synthase Produces the Pheromone Precursor (Z)-α-Bisabolene in Nezara viridula. J Chem Ecol 2018; 45:187-197. [PMID: 30267360 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-1019-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Insects use a wide range of structurally diverse pheromones for intra-specific communication. Compounds in the class of terpenes are emitted as sex, aggregation, alarm, or trail pheromones. Despite the common occurrence of terpene pheromones in different insect lineages, their origin from dietary host plant precursors or de novo biosynthetic pathways often remains unknown. Several stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) release bisabolene-type sesquiterpenes for aggregation and mating. Here we provide evidence for de novo biosynthesis of the sex pheromone trans-/cis-(Z)-α-bisabolene epoxide of the Southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula. We show that an enzyme (NvTPS) related to isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs) of the core terpene metabolic pathway functions as a terpene synthase (TPS), which converts the general intermediate (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) to the putative pheromone precursor (+)-(S,Z)-α-bisabolene in vitro and in protein lysates. A second identified IDS-type protein (NvFPPS) makes the TPS substrate (E,E)-FPP and functions as a bona fide FPP synthase. NvTPS is highly expressed in male epidermal tissue associated with the cuticle of ventral sternites, which is in agreement with the male specific release of the pheromone from glandular cells in this tissue. Our study supports findings of the function of similar TPS enzymes in the biosynthesis of aggregation pheromones from the pine engraver beetle Ips pini, the striped flea beetle Phyllotreta striolata, and the harlequin bug Murgantia histrionica, and hence provides growing evidence for the evolution of terpene de novo biosynthesis by IDS-type TPS families in insects.
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Mitaka Y, Mori N, Matsuura K. Multi-functional roles of a soldier-specific volatile as a worker arrestant, primer pheromone and an antimicrobial agent in a termite. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20171134. [PMID: 28747483 PMCID: PMC5543234 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Division of labour in eusocial insects is characterized by efficient communication systems based on pheromones. Among such insects, termites have evolved specialized sterile defenders, called soldiers. Because they are incapable of feeding themselves, it has been suggested that soldiers are sustained by workers and emit the pheromone arresting workers. However, such a soldier pheromone has not been identified in any termite species, and the details of the soldier-worker interaction remain to be explored. Here, we identified a soldier-specific volatile sesquiterpene as a worker arrestant, which also acts as a primer pheromone regulating soldier differentiation and fungistatic agent in a termite Reticulitermes speratus Chemical analyses revealed that (-)-β-elemene is the major component of soldier extract, and its authentic standard exhibited arrestant activity to workers and inhibited the differentiation from workers to soldiers. This compound also showed fungistatic activity against entomopathogenic fungi. These suggest that (-)-β-elemene secreted by soldiers acts not only as a worker arrestant but also as one component of inhibitory primer pheromone and an anti-pathogenic agent. Our study provides novel evidence supporting the multi-functionality of termite soldier pheromone and provides new insights into the role of soldiers and the evolutionary mechanisms of pheromone compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Mitaka
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naoki Mori
- Laboratory of Chemical Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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Frankfater C, Tellez MR, Slattery M. The scent of alarm: ontogenetic and genetic variation in the osmeterial gland chemistry of Papilio glaucus (Papilionidae) caterpillars. CHEMOECOLOGY 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-009-0013-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Omura H, Honda K, Feeny P. From Terpenoids to Aliphatic Acids: Further Evidence for Late-Instar Switch in Osmeterial Defense as a Characteristic Trait of Swallowtail Butterflies in the Tribe Papilionini. J Chem Ecol 2006; 32:1999-2012. [PMID: 16902823 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-006-9124-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2005] [Revised: 01/09/2006] [Accepted: 04/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We compared the chemical compositions of the osmeterial secretions of fourth and fifth (last) instars of eight swallowtail species of the tribe Papilionini. Four species (Papilio demoleus, P. polytes, P. paris, and P. macilentus) are Asian Rutaceae-feeding swallowtails. The other four (Chilasa epicydes, C. agestor, P. troilus, and P. glaucus) represent more distant clades within the Papilionini and species with larval hosts in other plant families. We conducted a quantitative analysis for six species, but only qualitative analysis for P. glaucus and C. agestor. In all eight species, regardless of larval host plant, secretions of the fourth instar principally consisted of mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, whereas those of the fifth instar comprised aliphatic acids and their esters. Consistent with earlier findings, our results suggest that this "heterogeneous" pattern of osmeterial chemistry, not seen in other tribes, may characterize the Papilionini as a whole. Unlike those of most Papilio species, the fourth and fifth instars of Chilasa species resemble each other in body coloration. Thus, the heterogeneous osmeterial pattern is not necessarily associated with color change in papilionid larvae. The major terpenoids identified in fourth instar larval secretions from the six species were alpha-pinene, sabinene, beta-myrcene, limonene, beta-phellandrene, (Z)-beta-ocimene, (E)-beta-ocimene, p-mentha-1,4(8)-diene, beta-elemene, beta-caryophyllene, (E)-beta-farnesene, (3Z,6E)-alpha-farnesene, (Z)-alpha-bisabolene, germacrene-A, (E)-alpha-bisabolene, and germacrene-B. The profiles for individual species differed both qualitatively and quantitatively from one another, and certain species also secreted methyl 3-hydroxy-n-butyrate and oxygenated sesquiterpenes in relatively large proportions. Secretions from fifth instars were composed of varying proportions of isobutyric, 2-methylbutyric, and acetic acids, and methyl and ethyl (minor) esters of both isobutyric and 2-methylbutyric acids. The heterogeneity of osmeterial chemistry in the tribe Papilionini may represent fine-tuning of chemical defense in response to shifting predation pressures as the larvae age and grow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Omura
- Department of Biofunctional Science and Technology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, 739-8528, Japan.
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Deml R. Effects of age and food source on secondary chemistry of larvae of Lymantria species (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2004; 94:137-143. [PMID: 15153296 DOI: 10.1079/ber2004292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Haemolymph and osmeterial secretions of caterpillars of Lymantria monacha (Linnaeus) and L. concolor Walker were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for low molecular weight secondary metabolites. The similarities of their chemical compositions were determined by means of cluster analysis techniques in order to characterize possible chemical variations related to developmental stage or food of the larvae. For this purpose, two dissimilarity coefficients (Euclidean distances, Canberra metrics) and four clustering methods (UPGMA, WPGMA, WPGMC, single linkage) were combined. The patterns of secondary compounds obtained from the haemolymph and osmeterial secretions studied did not differ statistically significantly between two groups of L. monacha larvae fed with either larch, Larix decidua Mil., or Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.), indicating no relevant influence of plant chemistry. However, haemolymph of penultimate instar larvae of L. concolor fed on Rhododendron contained a mixture of compounds differing statistically significantly from that of last instar caterpillars. The total compositions of the corresponding gland secretions were statistically identical though the presence/amounts of individual compounds varied. This suggested that the haemolymph composition reflected changing physiological requirements of the successive instars, whereas the composition of the defensive mixtures remained comparatively constant, possibly due to a constant spectrum of potential enemies. A more pronounced age-dependence of larval chemistry was shown by a similar analysis of data from various developmental stages of L. dispar (Linnaeus) and one of its food plants. This analysis suggested plant composition affected the secondary chemistry of early larval instars of L. dispar. The results are discussed in terms of the roles of secondary metabolites in defence against natural enemies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Deml
- Lehrstuhl für Tierökologie II, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
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Honda K, Hayashi N. Chemical nature of larval osmeterial secretions of papilionid butterflies in the generaParnassius, Sericinus andPachliopta. J Chem Ecol 1995; 21:859-67. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02033466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/1994] [Accepted: 03/01/1995] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Nishida R, Weintraub JD, Feeny P, Fukami H. Aristolochic acids fromThottea spp. (Aristolochiaceae) and the osmeterial secretions of Thottea-feeding troidine swallowtail larvae (Papilionidae). J Chem Ecol 1993; 19:1587-94. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00984899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/1992] [Accepted: 03/04/1993] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Honda K. GC-MS and 13C-NMR studies on the biosynthesis of terpenoid defensive secretions by the larvae of papilionid butterflies (Luehdorfia and Papilio). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1990. [DOI: 10.1016/0020-1790(90)90041-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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12
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Cornell JC, Stamp NE, Bowers MD. Developmental change in aggregation, defense and escape behavior of buckmoth caterpillars, Hemileuca lucina (Saturniidae). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 1987. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00302980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Constituents of osmeterial secretion of pre-final instar larvae of citrus swallowtail,Papilio demodocus (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). J Chem Ecol 1985; 11:1093-113. [DOI: 10.1007/bf01020678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/1984] [Accepted: 12/19/1984] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Gough AJ, Hamilton JG, Games DE, Staddon BW. Multichemical defense of plant bugHotea gambiae (westwood) (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae) : Sesquiterpenoids from abdominal gland in larvae. J Chem Ecol 1985; 11:343-52. [PMID: 24309966 DOI: 10.1007/bf01411421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/1984] [Accepted: 07/10/1984] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chemical defense in larvae of the plant bugHotea gambiae has been investigated. Results of analyses (GC, GC-MS) on the secretions from the three dorsally situated larval abdominal defense (scent) glands are reported. The secretion from the first abdominal gland consists of a mixture of C10 and C15 isoprenoids: (C10) α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, β-phellandrene; (C15) β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, α-humulene, and (the major component) humulene epoxide II. The secretions from the second and third abdominal glands are similar mixtures consisting of (E)-2-decenal, (E)-4-oxohex-2-enal, andn-tridecane together with lesser amounts of (E)-2-hexenal,n-dodecane, and other materials. Isoprenoid defense is now known from four species of plant bugs (Heteroptera) associated with Malvaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Gough
- Department of Chemistry, University College, P.O. Box 78, CF1 1XL, Cardiff, Wales, UK
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Knight DW, Rossiter M, Staddon BW. (Z,E)-?-farnesene: Major component of secretion from metathoracic scent gland of cotton seed bug,Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa) (Heteroptera; Lygaeidae). J Chem Ecol 1984; 10:641-9. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00994225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/1983] [Revised: 07/25/1983] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Olagbemiro TO, Staddon BW. Isoprenoids from metathoracic scent gland of cotton seed bug,Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa) (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae). J Chem Ecol 1983; 9:1397-412. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00990746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/1982] [Revised: 12/22/1982] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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