A pheromone from cuticular hydrocarbons regulates mating behavior in the hoverfly Eupeodes corollae

doi:10.1016/j.jia.2025.04.013

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A pheromone from cuticular hydrocarbons regulates mating behavior in the hoverfly Eupeodes corollae

Wenbiao Liu, Chenxi Cai, Jinan Wu, Bing Wang

State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China

Highlights

l Eupeodes corollae mating peaked at 5 days post-emergence, with the highest copulation/success rates, shortest male latency, and stable duration.

l Two cuticular pheromones, (Z)-9-tricosene and n-tricosane, evoked strong electrophysiological responses in both sexes of E. corollae.

l (Z)-9-tricosene acts as a dual attractant for both sexes of E. corollae and stimulates male courtship behavior.

Abstract
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摘要

交配行为作为昆虫繁衍的重要环节，有助于后代种群的延续。表皮碳氢化合物（Cuticular Hydrocarbons, CHCs）是调控昆虫交配行为的一类重要化学信号分子。然而，目前对天敌昆虫大灰优蚜蝇（Eupeodes corollae）的交配行为及其CHCs的化学通讯机制仍缺乏系统研究。本研究通过行为试验系统解析大灰优蚜蝇的交配动态，利用气相色谱-质谱联用技术（GC-MS）鉴定大灰优蚜蝇雌、雄虫CHCs组成，并采用气相色谱-触角电位联用技术（GC-EAD）和触角电位技术（EAG）筛选触角活性组分，进一步通过行为试验测定活性组分对其行为选择及交配的调控作用。结果表明，大灰优蚜蝇交配过程划分为五个行为阶段：定向、靠近、振翅、爬背和求偶。其中，5日龄个体展现出最高的求偶率和交配成功率，同时雄虫求偶前所用搜寻时间最短，求偶持续时间稳定。表皮化合物分析显示，雌、雄个体CHCs呈现单态性化学特征，其中顺-9-二十三烯和正二十三烷均能显著引起雌、雄虫触角电生理反应。行为试验表明，顺-9-二十三烯对大灰优蚜蝇雌、雄个体均有显著吸引作用，并能有效调控雄虫求偶行为。以上研究不仅为深入解析食蚜蝇化学通讯机制提供了新视角，更为开发基于信息素的行为调控技术提供了科学依据，对实现害虫防控具有重要应用价值。

Abstract

Mating behavior is crucial for most insects, as it is closely tied to reproduction and population growth and relies heavily on chemical communication via cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) between individuals. However, little is known about the mating behavior of Eupeodes corollae, a natural enemy insect, and how CHCs help it communicate. In this study, we performed a behavioral assay of the mating process of hoverfly E. corollae. The cuticular hydrocarbons of both male and female hoverflies were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The electrophysiological activities of these compounds on the antennae of hoverflies were further determined by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) and electroantennogram (EAG). The effects of these compounds on the behavioral selection and mating of hoverflies were also determined. The results showed that the mating process of hoverflies was divided into five stages: orientation, approaching, wing fanning, mounting, and copulation. Fifth-aged individuals exhibited the highest copulation and mating success rates, the shortest male latency, and stable mating duration. The results of the determination of cuticular compounds showed that the CHCs of male and female hoverflies exhibited sexually monomorphic chemical profiles, and two compounds (Z)-9-tricosene and n-tricosane could cause significant electrophysiological responses in both male and female hoverflies. Behavioral bioassay results showed that (Z)-9-tricosene can significantly induce the attraction response of male and female E. corollae and can effectively regulate the courtship behavior of male E. corollae. This finding provides a new perspective for a deeper understanding of hoverflies’ chemical communication mechanism and a valuable scientific basis and potential application prospect for developing a pheromone-based behavior strategy to control pests.

Keywords: pheromone cuticular hydrocarbons mating behavior Eupeodes corollae (Z)-9-tricosene

Online: 11 April 2025

Fund:

This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of National Natural Science Foundation of China (32272621), the Key Project of Inter-Government International Science & Technology Innovation Cooperation (2019YFE0105800), Major special projects for green pest control (110202201017(LS-01)), and the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program.

About author: Wenbiao Liu, E-mail: 82101221213@caas.cn; #Correspondence Bing Wang, E-mail: wangbing02@caas.cn

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Wenbiao Liu, Chenxi Cai, Jinan Wu, Bing Wang. 2025. A pheromone from cuticular hydrocarbons regulates mating behavior in the hoverfly Eupeodes corollae. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, Doi:10.1016/j.jia.2025.04.013

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