A volatile sex attractant of tsetse flies

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Ebrahim, Shimaa A. M.; Dweck, Hany K. M.; Weiss, Brian L.; Carlson, John R.
• 署名单位: Yale University; Yale University
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-13538
• DOI: 10.1126/science.ade1877
• 发表日期: 2023-02-17
• 页码: 660-+
• 关键词: cuticular hydrocarbon expression; glossina-morsitans-morsitans; by-environment interactions; mating-behavior; chemical communication; pheromone perception; copulatory-behavior; courtship behavior; fly; identification

摘要

Tsetse flies transmit trypanosomes-parasites that cause devastating diseases in humans and livestock-across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Chemical communication through volatile pheromones is common among insects; however, it remains unknown if and how such chemical communication occurs in tsetse flies. We identified methyl palmitoleate (MPO), methyl oleate, and methyl palmitate as compounds that are produced by the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans and elicit strong behavioral responses. MPO evoked a behavioral response in male-but not virgin female-G. morsitans. G. morsitans males mounted females of another species, Glossina fuscipes, when they were treated with MPO. We further identified a subpopulation of olfactory neurons in G. morsitans that increase their firing rate in response to MPO and showed that infecting flies with African trypanosomes alters the flies' chemical profile and mating behavior. The identification of volatile attractants in tsetse flies may be useful for reducing disease spread.