Characterization of a Novel Male Pheromone Compound in <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Its Role in Courtship Behavior
The poplar moth, <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It was first identified in Chile in 2015 and has since become a significant pest in the agricultural sector. Additionally, economic losses are further a...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Laura Sánchez-Aros Abel F. O. Queiroz Jorge Guajardo Wilson Barros-Parada Glenn P. Svensson Jan Bergmann |
| author_facet | Laura Sánchez-Aros Abel F. O. Queiroz Jorge Guajardo Wilson Barros-Parada Glenn P. Svensson Jan Bergmann |
| author_sort | Laura Sánchez-Aros |
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| description | The poplar moth, <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It was first identified in Chile in 2015 and has since become a significant pest in the agricultural sector. Additionally, economic losses are further aggravated by the presence of <i>L. sinuella</i> pupae in nearby fruit orchards. This study investigated the presence of a male-produced sex pheromone in <i>L. sinuella</i>, focusing on the hairpencil (HP) glands, which are known as dissemination structures for male pheromones in lepidopterans. Male HP glands were solvent-extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Chemical microderivatization and comparisons of mass spectra and retention indices of natural compounds with synthetic standards led to the identification of two compounds: (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate (the major component) and (<i>Z</i>)-3-decen-1-ol (a minor component). Although electrophysiological assays did not show detectable antennal responses to (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate, behavioral bioassays demonstrated its role as a short-range courtship signal in <i>L. sinuella</i>. Males with ablated hairpencils exhibited significantly reduced courtship success compared to controls; however, exposure of females to synthetic (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate or HP extract restored male courtship success. To our knowledge, (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate has not been previously reported as a sex pheromone component in any insect species, making this discovery an intriguing addition to the diversity of chemical communication in insects. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-8cbc4cca3c9f4d16b338967601fd19942025-01-24T13:35:39ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-12-011613210.3390/insects16010032Characterization of a Novel Male Pheromone Compound in <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Its Role in Courtship BehaviorLaura Sánchez-Aros0Abel F. O. Queiroz1Jorge Guajardo2Wilson Barros-Parada3Glenn P. Svensson4Jan Bergmann5Institute of Chemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, ChileCenter for Biological and Health Sciences, AGES University Center, Avenida Universitária, 23-Parque das Palmeiras, Paripiranga 48430-000, BA, BrazilCentro Tecnológico del Álamo (Poplar Technology Center), Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, ChileAgronomy School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota 2340000, ChileDepartment of Biology, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, SwedenInstitute of Chemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, ChileThe poplar moth, <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It was first identified in Chile in 2015 and has since become a significant pest in the agricultural sector. Additionally, economic losses are further aggravated by the presence of <i>L. sinuella</i> pupae in nearby fruit orchards. This study investigated the presence of a male-produced sex pheromone in <i>L. sinuella</i>, focusing on the hairpencil (HP) glands, which are known as dissemination structures for male pheromones in lepidopterans. Male HP glands were solvent-extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Chemical microderivatization and comparisons of mass spectra and retention indices of natural compounds with synthetic standards led to the identification of two compounds: (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate (the major component) and (<i>Z</i>)-3-decen-1-ol (a minor component). Although electrophysiological assays did not show detectable antennal responses to (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate, behavioral bioassays demonstrated its role as a short-range courtship signal in <i>L. sinuella</i>. Males with ablated hairpencils exhibited significantly reduced courtship success compared to controls; however, exposure of females to synthetic (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate or HP extract restored male courtship success. To our knowledge, (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate has not been previously reported as a sex pheromone component in any insect species, making this discovery an intriguing addition to the diversity of chemical communication in insects.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/1/32(<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate<i>Leucoptera sinuella</i>mating behaviormale pheromone |
| spellingShingle | Laura Sánchez-Aros Abel F. O. Queiroz Jorge Guajardo Wilson Barros-Parada Glenn P. Svensson Jan Bergmann Characterization of a Novel Male Pheromone Compound in <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Its Role in Courtship Behavior Insects (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> mating behavior male pheromone |
| title | Characterization of a Novel Male Pheromone Compound in <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Its Role in Courtship Behavior |
| title_full | Characterization of a Novel Male Pheromone Compound in <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Its Role in Courtship Behavior |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of a Novel Male Pheromone Compound in <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Its Role in Courtship Behavior |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of a Novel Male Pheromone Compound in <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Its Role in Courtship Behavior |
| title_short | Characterization of a Novel Male Pheromone Compound in <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Its Role in Courtship Behavior |
| title_sort | characterization of a novel male pheromone compound in i leucoptera sinuella i lepidoptera lyonetiidae and its role in courtship behavior |
| topic | (<i>Z</i>)-3-decenyl hexanoate <i>Leucoptera sinuella</i> mating behavior male pheromone |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/1/32 |
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