208 results on '"Phillip W. Taylor"'
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2. 1-Octanol emitted by Oecophylla smaragdina weaver ants repels and deters oviposition in Queensland fruit fly
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Vivek Kempraj, Soo Jean Park, Donald N. S. Cameron, and Phillip W. Taylor
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Humans have used weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, as biological control agents to control insect pests in orchards for many centuries. Over recent decades, the effectiveness of weaver ants as biological control agents has been attributed in part to deterrent and oviposition inhibiting effects of kairomones produced by the ants, but the chemical identity of these kairomones has remained unknown. We have identified the kairomone responsible for deterrence and oviposition inhibition by O. smaragdina, providing a significant advance in understanding the chemical basis of their predator/prey interactions. Olfactometer assays with extracts from weaver ants demonstrated headspace volatiles to be highly repellent to Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni. Using electrophysiology and bioassays, we demonstrate that this repellence is induced by a single compound, 1-octanol. Of 16 compounds identified in O. smaragdina headspace, only 1-octanol evoked an electrophysiological response from B. tryoni antennae. Flies had greatly reduced oviposition and spent significantly less time in an olfactometer arm in the presence of 1-octanol or a synthetic blend of headspace volatiles containing 1-octanol than in the presence of a synthetic blend of headspace volatiles without 1-octanol, or clean air. Taken together, our results demonstrate that 1-octanol is the functional kairomone component of O. smaragdina headspace that explains repellence and oviposition deterrence, and is hence an important contributor to the effectiveness of these ants as biological control agents.
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- 2022
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3. Patterns of Variation in the Usage of Fatty Acid Chains among Classes of Ester and Ether Neutral Lipids and Phospholipids in the Queensland Fruit Fly
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Shirleen S. Prasad, Matthew C. Taylor, Valentina Colombo, Heng Lin Yeap, Gunjan Pandey, Siu Fai Lee, Phillip W. Taylor, and John G. Oakeshott
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Bactrocera tryoni ,comparative lipidomics ,neutral lipids ,phospholipids ,ether lipids ,comparative genomics ,Science - Abstract
Modern lipidomics has the power and sensitivity to elucidate the role of insects’ lipidomes in their adaptations to the environment at a mechanistic molecular level. However, few lipidomic studies have yet been conducted on insects beyond model species such as Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we present the lipidome of adult males of another higher dipteran frugivore, Bactrocera tryoni. We describe 421 lipids across 15 classes of ester neutral lipids and phospholipids and ether neutral lipids and phospholipids. Most of the lipids are specified in terms of the carbon and double bond contents of each constituent hydrocarbon chain, and more ether lipids are specified to this degree than in any previous insect lipidomic analyses. Class-specific profiles of chain length and (un)saturation are broadly similar to those reported in D. melanogaster, although we found fewer medium-length chains in ether lipids. The high level of chain specification in our dataset also revealed widespread non-random combinations of different chain types in several ester lipid classes, including deficits of combinations involving chains of the same carbon and double bond contents among four phospholipid classes and excesses of combinations of dissimilar chains in several classes. Large differences were also found in the length and double bond profiles of the acyl vs. alkyl or alkenyl chains of the ether lipids. Work on other organisms suggests some of the differences observed will be functionally consequential and mediated, at least in part, by differences in substrate specificity among enzymes in lipid synthesis and remodelling pathways. Interrogation of the B. tryoni genome showed it has comparable levels of diversity overall in these enzymes but with some gene gain/loss differences and considerable sequence divergence from D. melanogaster.
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- 2023
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4. Population differences and domestication effects on mating and remating frequencies in Queensland fruit fly
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Khandaker Asif Ahmed, Heng Lin Yeap, Gunjan Pandey, Siu Fai Lee, Phillip W. Taylor, and John G. Oakeshott
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Females of many insect species are unreceptive to remating for a period following their first mating. This inhibitory effect may be mediated by either the female or her first mate, or both, and often reflects the complex interplay of reproductive strategies between the sexes. Natural variation in remating inhibition and how this phenotype responds to captive breeding are largely unexplored in insects, including many pest species. We investigated genetic variation in remating propensity in the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni, using strains differing in source locality and degree of domestication. We found up to threefold inherited variation between strains from different localities in the level of intra-strain remating inhibition. The level of inhibition also declined significantly during domestication, which implied the existence of genetic variation for this trait within the starting populations as well. Inter-strain mating and remating trials showed that the strain differences were mainly due to the genotypes of the female and, to a lesser extent, the second male, with little effect of the initial male genotype. Implications for our understanding of fruit fly reproductive biology and population genetics and the design of Sterile Insect Technique pest management programs are discussed.
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- 2022
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5. Canopy distribution and microclimate preferences of sterile and wild Queensland fruit flies
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Jess R. Inskeep, Andrew P. Allen, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis, and Christopher W. Weldon
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Insects tend to live within well-defined habitats, and at smaller scales can have distinct microhabitat preferences. These preferences are important, but often overlooked, in applications of the sterile insect technique. Different microhabitat preferences of sterile and wild insects may reflect differences in environmental tolerance and may lead to spatial separation in the field, both of which may reduce the control program efficiency. In this study, we compared the diurnal microhabitat distributions of mass-reared (fertile and sterile) and wild Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Flies were individually tagged and released into field cages containing citrus trees. We recorded their locations in the canopies (height from ground, distance from canopy center), behavior (resting, grooming, walking, feeding), and the abiotic conditions on occupied leaves (temperature, humidity, light intensity) throughout the day. Flies from all groups moved lower in the canopy when temperature and light intensity were high, and humidity was low; lower canopy regions provided shelter from these conditions. Fertile and sterile mass-reared flies of both sexes were generally lower in the canopies than wild flies. Flies generally fed from the top sides of leaves that were lower in the canopy, suggesting food sources in these locations. Our observations suggest that mass-reared and wild B. tryoni occupy different locations in tree canopies, which could indicate different tolerances to environmental extremes and may result in spatial separation of sterile and wild flies when assessed at a landscape scale.
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- 2021
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6. Climate stress resistance in male Queensland fruit fly varies among populations of diverse geographic origins and changes during domestication
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Ángel-David Popa-Báez, Siu Fai Lee, Heng Lin Yeap, Shirleen S. Prasad, Michele Schiffer, Roslyn G. Mourant, Cynthia Castro-Vargas, Owain R. Edwards, Phillip W. Taylor, and John G. Oakeshott
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Bactrocera tryoni ,Heat resistance ,Desiccation resistance ,Ecotypic variation ,Domestication effects ,Genetics ,QH426-470 - Abstract
Abstract Background The highly polyphagous Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt) expanded its range substantially during the twentieth century and is now the most economically important insect pest of Australian horticulture, prompting intensive efforts to develop a Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) control program. Using a “common garden” approach, we have screened for natural genetic variation in key environmental fitness traits among populations from across the geographic range of this species and monitored changes in those traits induced during domestication. Results Significant variation was detected between the populations for heat, desiccation and starvation resistance and wing length (as a measure of body size). Desiccation resistance was correlated with both starvation resistance and wing length. Bioassay data for three resampled populations indicate that much of the variation in desiccation resistance reflects persistent, inherited differences among the populations. No latitudinal cline was detected for any of the traits and only weak correlations were found with climatic variables for heat resistance and wing length. All three stress resistance phenotypes and wing length changed significantly in certain populations with ongoing domestication but there was also a strong population by domestication interaction effect for each trait. Conclusions Ecotypic variation in heat, starvation and desiccation resistance was detected in Australian Qfly populations, and these stress resistances diminished rapidly during domestication. Our results indicate a need to select source populations for SIT strains which have relatively high climatic stress resistance and to minimise loss of that resistance during domestication.
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- 2020
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7. Multi-locus genotyping of stored sperm reveals female remating rates in wild populations of the Queensland fruit fly
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Jason Shadmany, Phillip W. Taylor, Heng Lin Yeap, and Siu Fai Lee
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Polyandry ,sperm genotyping ,microsatellites ,sterile insect technique ,Bactrocera tryoni ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
Female insects commonly have more than one mate during a breeding period (‘polyandry’), storing and using sperm from multiple males. In addition to its evolutionary significance, insect polyandry has practical implications for pest management that relies on the sterile insect technique (SIT). The Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is a major horticultural pest in Australia, and outbreaks are managed by SIT in some regions. The present study provides the first evidence for polyandry in female B. tryoni from field populations from New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) through multi-locus genotyping (ten microsatellite markers in four fluorescent multiplexes) of the stored sperm in ovipositing females. Polyandry level was significantly higher in the NSW collection (80.0 %) than the QLD collection (26.1 %), suggesting substantial regional and/or temporal variation. These findings have important implications for the use of SIT to suppress B. tryoni populations and to eradicate outbreaks.
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- 2022
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8. Commensal microbiota modulates larval foraging behaviour, development rate and pupal production in Bactrocera tryoni
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Juliano Morimoto, Binh Nguyen, Shabnam T. Tabrizi, Ida Lundbäck, Phillip W. Taylor, Fleur Ponton, and Toni A. Chapman
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Nutrition ,Larval behaviour ,Development ,Microbiota ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Abstract Backround Commensal microbes can promote survival and growth of developing insects, and have important fitness implications in adulthood. Insect larvae can acquire commensal microbes through two main routes: by vertical acquisition from maternal deposition of microbes on the eggshells and by horizontal acquisition from the environment where the larvae develop. To date, however, little is known about how microbes acquired through these different routes interact to shape insect development. In the present study, we investigated how vertically and horizontally acquired microbiota influence larval foraging behaviour, development time to pupation and pupal production in the Queensland fruit fly (‘Qfly’), Bactrocera tryoni. Results Both vertically and horizontally acquired microbiota were required to maximise pupal production in Qfly. Moreover, larvae exposed to both vertically and horizontally acquired microbiota pupated sooner than those exposed to no microbiota, or only to horizontally acquired microbiota. Larval foraging behaviour was also influenced by both vertically and horizontally acquired microbiota. Larvae from treatments exposed to neither vertically nor horizontally acquired microbiota spent more time overall on foraging patches than did larvae of other treatments, and most notably had greater preference for diets with extreme protein or sugar compositions. Conclusion The integrity of the microbiota early in life is important for larval foraging behaviour, development time to pupation, and pupal production in Qflies. These findings highlight the complexity of microbial relations in this species, and provide insights to the importance of exposure to microbial communities during laboratory- or mass-rearing of tephritid fruit flies.
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- 2019
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9. Next-Generation Sequencing reveals relationship between the larval microbiome and food substrate in the polyphagous Queensland fruit fly
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Rajib Majumder, Brodie Sutcliffe, Phillip W. Taylor, and Toni A. Chapman
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Insects typically host substantial microbial communities (the ‘microbiome’) that can serve as a vital source of nutrients and also acts as a modulator of immune function. While recent studies have shown that diet is an important influence on the gut microbiome, very little is known about the dynamics underpinning microbial acquisition from natural food sources. Here, we addressed this gap by comparing the microbiome of larvae of the polyphagous fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (‘Queensland fruit fly’) that were collected from five different fruit types (sapodilla [from two different localities], hog plum, pomegranate, green apple, and quince) from North-east to South-east Australia. Using Next-Generation Sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform, we addressed two questions: (1) what bacterial communities are available to B. tryoni larvae from different host fruit; and (2) how does the microbiome vary between B. tryoni larvae and its host fruit? The abundant bacterial taxa were similar for B. tryoni larvae from different fruit despite significant differences in the overall microbial community compositions. Our study suggests that the bacterial community structure of B. tryoni larvae is related less to the host fruit (diet) microbiome and more to vertical transfer of the microbiome during egg laying. Our findings also suggest that geographic location may play a quite limited role in structuring of larval microbiomes. This is the first study to use Next-Generation Sequencing to analyze the microbiome of B. tryoni larvae together with the host fruit, an approach that has enabled greatly increased resolution of relationships between the insect’s microbiome and that of the surrounding host tissues.
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- 2019
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10. Interactions between ecological factors in the developmental environment modulate pupal and adult traits in a polyphagous fly
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Binh Nguyen, Fleur Ponton, Anh Than, Phillip W. Taylor, Toni Chapman, and Juliano Morimoto
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animal–microbe competition ,crowding ,density ,larval competition ,microbiota ,Ecology ,QH540-549.5 - Abstract
Abstract In holometabolous insects, adult fitness depends on the quantity and quality of resource acquired at the larval stage. Diverse ecological factors can influence larval resource acquisition, but little is known about how these factors in the larval environment interact to modulate larval development and adult traits. Here, we addressed this gap by considering how key ecological factors of larval density, diet nutritional composition, and microbial growth interact to modulate pupal and adult traits in a polyphagous tephritid fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (aka “Queensland fruit fly”). Larvae were allowed to develop at two larval densities (low and high), on diets that were protein‐rich, standard, or sugar‐rich and prepared with or without preservatives to inhibit or encourage microbial growth, respectively. Percentage of adult emergence and adult sex ratio were not affected by the interaction between diet composition, larval density, and preservative treatments, although low preservative content increased adult emergence in sugar‐rich diets but decreased adult emergence in protein‐rich and standard diets. Pupal weight, male and female adult dry weight, and female (but not male) body energetic reserves were affected by a strong three‐way interaction between diet composition, larval density, and preservative treatment, whereby in general, low preservative content increased pupal weight and female lipid storage in sugar‐rich diets particularly at low‐larval density and differentially modulated the decrease in adult body weight caused by larval density across diets. Our findings provide insights into the ecological factors modulating larval development of a polyphagous fly species and shed light into the ecological complexity of the larval developmental environment in frugivorous insects.
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- 2019
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11. Crowded developmental environment promotes adult sex-specific nutrient consumption in a polyphagous fly
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Juliano Morimoto, Binh Nguyen, Hue Dinh, Anh The Than, Phillip W. Taylor, and Fleur Ponton
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Development ,Larva ,Nutrition ,Predator-prey ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
Abstract Background The fitness of holometabolous insects depends largely on resources acquired at the larval stage. Larval density is an important factor modulating larval resource-acquisition, influencing adult survival, reproduction, and population maintenance. To date, however, our understanding of how larval crowding affects adult physiology and behaviour is limited, and little is known about how larval crowding affects adult non-reproductive ecological traits. Here, larval density in the rearing environment of the polyphagous fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (‘Queensland fruit-fly’) was manipulated to generate crowded and uncrowded larval treatments. The effects of larval crowding on pupal weight, adult emergence, adult body weight, energetic reserves, fecundity, feeding patterns, flight ability, as well as adult predation risk were investigated. Results Adults from the crowded larval treatment had lower adult emergence, body weight, energetic reserves, flight ability and fecundity compared to adults from the uncrowded larval treatment. Adults from the crowded larval treatment had greater total food consumption (i.e., consumption of yeast plus sucrose) relative to body weight for both sexes compared to adults from the uncrowded treatment. Furthermore, males from the crowded treatment consumed more yeast relative to their body weight than males from the uncrowded treatment, while females from the crowded treatment consumed more sucrose relative to their body weight than females from the uncrowded treatment. Importantly, an interaction between the relative consumptions of sucrose and yeast and sex revealed that the density of conspecifics in the developmental environment differentially affects feeding of adult males and females. We found no effect of larval treatment on adult predation probability. However, males were significantly more likely to be captured by ants than females. Conclusion We show that larvae crowding can have important implications to ecological traits in a polyphagous fly, including traits such as adult energetic reserve, flight ability, and adult sex-specific nutrient intake. Our findings contextualise the effects of larval developmental conditions into a broad ecological framework, hence providing a better understanding of their significance to adult behaviour and fitness. Furthermore, the knowledge presented here can help us better understanding downstream density-dependent effects of mass rearing conditions of this species, with potential relevance to Sterile Insect Technique.
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- 2019
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12. Artificial Larval Diet Mediates the Microbiome of Queensland Fruit Fly
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Rajib Majumder, Brodie Sutcliffe, Saleh Mohammad Adnan, Bishwo Mainali, Bernard C. Dominiak, Phillip W. Taylor, and Toni A. Chapman
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Tephritidae ,gut bacteria ,Illumina sequencing ,development ,domestication ,mating ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Larval diets used for artificial rearing can have a significant effect on insect biology. The Queensland fruit fly (aka “Qfly”), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is one of the greatest challenges for fruit growers in Australia. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is being developed to manage outbreaks in regions that remain free of Qfly and to reduce populations in regions where this species is endemic. Factory scale rearing is essential for SIT; however, artificial larval diets are known to affect the microbiome of Qfly, which may then affect fly performance. In this study, high-throughput Illumina sequencing was used to assess the Qfly microbiome in colonies reared, for five generations from nature, on two common artificial diets (carrot and gel). At generation five (G5), the microbiome was assessed in larvae, pupae, adult males and adult females and standard fly quality control parameters were assessed together with additional performance measures of mating propensity and survival under nutritional stress. At the genus level, bacterial communities were significantly different between the colonies reared on the two larval diets. However, communities converged at Phyla to family taxonomic levels. Bacterial genera of Morganella, Citrobacter, Providencia, and Burkholderia were highly abundant in all developmental stages of Qfly reared on the gel diet, when compared to the carrot diet. Despite abundance of these genera, a greater percentage of egg hatching, heavier pupal weight and a higher percentage of fliers were found in the Qfly reared on the gel diet. Mating propensity and survival under nutritional stress was similar for adult Qfly that had been reared on the two larval diets. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the artificial larval diet strongly influences the microbiome and quality control measures of Qfly, with likely downstream effects on performance of flies released in SIT programs.
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- 2020
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13. Dynamics of the Queensland Fruit Fly Microbiome through the Transition from Nature to an Established Laboratory Colony
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Rajib Majumder, Phillip W. Taylor, and Toni A. Chapman
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Bactrocera tryoni ,Tephritidae ,high-throughput Illumina sequencing ,domestication ,sterile insect technique ,gel-based diet ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
The transition from nature to laboratory or mass rearing can impose significant physiological and evolutionary impact on insects. The Queensland fruit fly (also known as ‘Qfly’), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious economic pest that presents major challenges for horticulture industries in Australia. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is being developed to manage outbreaks in regions that remain free of Qfly and to suppress populations in regions where this species is endemic. The biology of Qfly is intimately connected to its microbiome. Therefore, changes in the microbiome that occur through domestication have implications for SIT. There are numerous studies of the microbiome in Qfly larvae and adults, but there is little information on how the microbiome changes as Qfly laboratory colonies are established. In this study, high-throughput Illumina sequencing was used to assess the Qfly microbiome in colonies reared from wild larvae, collected from fruit, for five generations, on a gel-based larval diet. Beta diversity analysis showed that the bacterial communities from Generation 5 (G5) clustered separately from earlier generations. At the genus level, bacterial communities were significantly different between the generations and mostly altered at G5. However, communities were found similar at phyla to family taxonomic levels. We observed high abundance of Morganella and Burkholderia at the genus level in the larval and pupal stages respectively at G5, but these were not detected in earlier generations. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the domestication process strongly affects the Qfly microbiome and prompts questions about the functional relationship between the Qfly and its microbiome, as well as implications for the performance of insects that have been domesticated and mass-reared for SIT programs.
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- 2022
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14. Electrophysiological Responses of Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy) (Tephritidae) to Rectal Gland Secretions and Headspace Volatiles Emitted by Conspecific Males and Females
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Sally Noushini, Soo Jean Park, Jeanneth Perez, Danielle Holgate, Vivian Mendez, Ian M. Jamie, Joanne F. Jamie, and Phillip W. Taylor
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Tephritidae ,pheromone ,olfaction ,electrophysiology ,GC–MS ,EAD ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
Pheromones are biologically important in fruit fly mating systems, and also have potential applications as attractants or mating disrupters for pest management. Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous pest fruit fly for which the chemical profile of rectal glands is available for males but not for females. There have been no studies of the volatile emissions of either sex or of electrophysiological responses to these compounds. The present study (i) establishes the chemical profiles of rectal gland contents and volatiles emitted by both sexes of B. kraussi by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and (ii) evaluates the detection of the identified compounds by gas chromatography–electroantennogram detection (GC–EAD) and –electropalpogram detection (GC–EPD). Sixteen compounds are identified in the rectal glands of male B. kraussi and 29 compounds are identified in the rectal glands of females. Of these compounds, 5 were detected in the headspace of males and 13 were detected in the headspace of females. GC–EPD assays recorded strong signals in both sexes against (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 2-ethyl-7-mehtyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane isomer 2, (E,Z)/(Z,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, and (Z,Z)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane. Male antennae responded to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 2-methyl-6-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 6-hexyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 6-oxononan-1-ol, ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate and ethyl (Z)-hexadec-9-enoate, whereas female antennae responded to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and 2-methyl-6-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran only. These compounds are candidates as pheromones mediating sexual interactions in B. kraussi.
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- 2021
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15. Larval foraging decisions in competitive heterogeneous environments accommodate diets that support egg-to-adult development in a polyphagous fly
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Juliano Morimoto, Shabnam Tarahi Tabrizi, Ida Lundbäck, Bishwo Mainali, Phillip W. Taylor, and Fleur Ponton
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larval nutrition ,reproduction ,trans-generational effects ,development ,density ,aggregation ,Science - Abstract
In holometabolous insects, larval nutrition is a key factor underpinning development and fitness. Heterogeneity in the nutritional environment and larval competition can force larvae to forage in suboptimal diets, with potential downstream fitness effects. Little is known about how larvae respond to competitive heterogeneous environments, and whether variation in these responses affects current and next generations. Here, we designed nutritionally heterogeneous foraging arenas by modifying nutrient concentration, where groups of the polyphagous fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni could forage freely at various levels of larval competition. Larval foraging preferences were highly consistent and independent of larval competition, with greatest foraging propensity for high (100%) followed by intermediate (80% and 60%) nutrient concentration diets, and avoidance of lower concentration diets (less than 60%). We then used these larval preferences (i.e. 100%, 80% and 60% diets) in fitness assays in which larvae competition was maintained constant, and showed that nutrient concentrations selected by the larvae in the foraging trials had no effect on fitness-related traits such as egg hatching and pupation success, adult flight ability, sex ratio, percentage of emergence, nor on adult cold tolerance, fecundity and next-generation pupal weight. These results support the idea that polyphagous species can exploit diverse hosts and nutritional conditions with minimal fitness costs to thrive in new environments.
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- 2019
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16. Cuticular Chemistry of the Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)
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Soo J. Park, Gunjan Pandey, Cynthia Castro-Vargas, John G. Oakeshott, Phillip W. Taylor, and Vivian Mendez
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cuticular hydrocarbons ,cuticle ,chemical communication ,GC-MS ,methyl branched alkanes ,chemical ecology ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
The cuticular layer of the insect exoskeleton contains diverse compounds that serve important biological functions, including the maintenance of homeostasis by protecting against water loss, protection from injury, pathogens and insecticides, and communication. Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) is the most destructive pest of fruit production in Australia, yet there are no published accounts of this species’ cuticular chemistry. We here provide a comprehensive description of B. tryoni cuticular chemistry. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and characterize compounds in hexane extracts of B. tryoni adults reared from larvae in naturally infested fruits. The compounds found included spiroacetals, aliphatic amides, saturated/unsaturated and methyl branched C12 to C20 chain esters and C29 to C33 normal and methyl-branched alkanes. The spiroacetals and esters were found to be specific to mature females, while the amides were found in both sexes. Normal and methyl-branched alkanes were qualitatively the same in all age and sex groups but some of the alkanes differed in amounts (as estimated from internal standard-normalized peak areas) between mature males and females, as well as between mature and immature flies. This study provides essential foundations for studies investigating the functions of cuticular chemistry in this economically important species.
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- 2020
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17. Zingerone in the Flower of Passiflora maliformis Attracts an Australian Fruit Fly, Bactrocera jarvisi (Tryon)
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Soo Jean Park, Stefano G. De Faveri, Jodie Cheesman, Benjamin L. Hanssen, Donald N. S. Cameron, Ian M. Jamie, and Phillip W. Taylor
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passion fruit flower ,Jarvis’s fruit fly ,phenylpropanoids ,raspberry ketone ,cuelure ,GC-MS ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
Passiflora maliformis is an introduced plant in Australia but its flowers are known to attract the native Jarvis’s fruit fly, Bactrocera jarvisi (Tryon). The present study identifies and quantifies likely attractant(s) of male B. jarvisi in P. maliformis flowers. The chemical compositions of the inner and outer coronal filaments, anther, stigma, ovary, sepal, and petal of P. maliformis were separately extracted with ethanol and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Polyisoprenoid lipid precursors, fatty acids and their derivatives, and phenylpropanoids were detected in P. maliformis flowers. Phenylpropanoids included raspberry ketone, cuelure, zingerone, and zingerol, although compositions varied markedly amongst the flower parts. P. maliformis flowers were open for less than one day, and the amounts of some of the compounds decreased throughout the day. The attraction of male B. jarvisi to P. maliformis flowers is most readily explained by the presence of zingerone in these flowers.
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- 2020
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18. Microbiome of the Queensland Fruit Fly through Metamorphosis
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Rajib Majumder, Brodie Sutcliffe, Phillip W. Taylor, and Toni A. Chapman
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gut bacteria and fungi ,yeast and yeast like ,Next-Generation Sequencing ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Queensland fruit fly, or “Qfly”) is a highly polyphagous tephritid fruit fly and a serious economic pest in Australia. Qfly biology is intimately linked to the bacteria and fungi of its microbiome. While there are numerous studies of the microbiome in larvae and adults, the transition of the microbiome through the pupal stage remains unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we used high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to examine microbial communities at each developmental stage in the Qfly life cycle, targeting the bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS regions. We found that microbial communities were similar at the larval and pupal stage and were also similar between adult males and females, yet there were marked differences between the larval and adult stages. Specific bacterial and fungal taxa are present in the larvae and adults (fed hydrolyzed yeast with sugar) which is likely related to differences in nutritional biology of these life stages. We observed a significant abundance of the Acetobacteraceae at the family level, both in the larval and pupal stages. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae was highly abundant (>80%) only in the adults. The majority of fungal taxa present in Qfly were yeasts or yeast-like fungi. In addition to elucidating changes in the microbiome through developmental stages, this study characterizes the Qfly microbiome present at the establishment of laboratory colonies as they enter the domestication process.
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- 2020
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19. Overlooked Scents: Chemical Profile of Soma, Volatile Emissions and Trails of the Green Tree Ant, Oecophylla smaragdina
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Vivek Kempraj, Soo Jean Park, Stefano De Faveri, and Phillip W. Taylor
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Oecophylla smaragdina ,cuticular hydrocarbons ,headspace volatiles ,chemical ecology ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
The green tree ant, Oecophylla smaragdina, is one of only two recognized species of weaver ants. While the identity and functions of chemicals produced and emitted by its congener O. longinoda have been studied quite extensively and serve as a valuable model in chemical ecology research, little comparable information is available about O. smaragdina. Although some analyses of chemicals produced and emitted by O. smaragdina have been reported, the literature is fragmentary and incomplete for this species. To address this knowledge gap, and to enable comparisons in the chemical ecology of the two weaver ant species, we here describe diverse chemicals from the cuticle, Dufour’s glands, poison glands, head, headspace volatiles, and trails of O. smaragdina.
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- 2020
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20. Floral constituents of the Australian tar tree
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Soo Jean Park, Jodie Cheesman, Donald N. S. Cameron, Stefano G. De Faveri, and Phillip W. Taylor
- Subjects
General Chemistry - Abstract
Floral constituents of the Australian tar tree, Semecarpus australiensis, distributed in Melanesia and Northern Australia, were extracted with solvent, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main constituents were 16- and 18-carbon fatty acids and their ethyl esters. Amongst the 67 identified compounds, zingerone was detected in minute quantity, providing the chemical basis for previous observations of fruit fly attraction to the flowers. The present study is the first to report the chemical profile of tar tree flowers.
- Published
- 2022
21. Effects of domestication on quality control parameters of the Queensland fruit flyBactrocera tryoni(Diptera: Tephritidae)
- Author
-
Sushil K. Gaire, Saluna Pokhrel, Md Jamil Hossain Biswas, Bishwo P. Mainali, Vivian Mendez, Jeanneth Pérez, Phillip W. Taylor, and Polychronis Rempoulakis
- Subjects
Insect Science ,Agronomy and Crop Science - Published
- 2022
22. Extended pre‐release holding with raspberry ketone and methoprene as supplements: Field performance of Bactrocera tryoni males
- Author
-
Polychronis Rempoulakis, Saleh Mohammad Adnan, Jamil Hossain Biswas, Andrew P. Allen, Bishwo P. Mainali, Maurizio Benelli, and Phillip W. Taylor
- Subjects
Bactrocera tryoni ,biology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Longevity ,Raspberry ketone ,Methoprene ,biology.organism_classification ,Horticulture ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Sterile insect technique ,chemistry ,Insect Science ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,media_common - Published
- 2021
23. Extended holding period and yeast hydrolysate in pre-release diet increase abundance of mature sterile Queensland fruit fly males in the field
- Author
-
Lloyd D. Stringer, Bishwo P. Mainali, Jess R. Inskeep, Polychronis Rempoulakis, Dominic Cross, Phillip W. Taylor, Md. Jamil Hossain Biswas, and Sushil K. Gaire
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Bactrocera tryoni ,Ecology ,fungi ,Plant Science ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Yeast ,Hydrolysate ,010602 entomology ,Sterile insect technique ,Animal science ,Abundance (ecology) ,Insect Science ,Sexual maturity ,PEST analysis ,Sugar ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is a significant pest of horticultural crops in Australia. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is currently employed to eradicate outbreaks in fruit fly free regions and may also be used to suppress populations in endemic regions. For SIT to succeed, it is imperative that the released sterile males survive, disperse, attain sexual maturity, and are sexually competitive against their wild rivals. Q-fly SIT programmes have conventionally held adult flies for two to three days and have sometimes fed them only sugar before release, providing little time or nutrition for development prior to release. We investigated whether a 5-d pre-release holding period and provision of yeast hydrolysate (YH) together with sugar in the pre-release diet increase abundance of mature male Q-fly in the field. Indicating increased survivorship and/or maturation, the combination of YH feeding and 5-d pre-release holding period resulted in 6–8 times more recaptures of mature male flies in cuelure traps than was the case for flies released at 2 d with or without YH and for flies released at 5 d without YH. Flies held for 5 d and fed YH were relatively more abundant than flies from other treatments in traps close to the release point and were as abundant as other treatments in traps at the greatest assessed distances. These findings strongly support a recommendation that sterile Q-flies be provided a pre-release diet of YH and sugar and be held for 5-d post-eclosion before release.
- Published
- 2021
24. Effect of Chilling on Quality Control Parameters of Sterile Queensland Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)
- Author
-
Maurizio Benelli, Phillip W. Taylor, Bishwo P. Mainali, Polychronis Rempoulakis, Jamil Hossain Biswas, and Sushil K. Gaire
- Subjects
Male ,Quality Control ,0106 biological sciences ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Longevity ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Toxicology ,Sterile insect technique ,Two temperature ,Tephritidae ,Animals ,Pest Control, Biological ,Control parameters ,media_common ,Bactrocera tryoni ,Ecology ,biology ,fungi ,Australia ,food and beverages ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,010602 entomology ,Insect Science ,Exposure period ,Female - Abstract
Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), presents a major threat to Australian fruit production and trade. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is increasingly employed to manage Q-fly. Quality of sterile males released in SIT programs, and hence program efficacy, can be affected by pre- and post-production processes, such as mass rearing, packing, irradiation, transportation, and release. Given long distances from rear-out facilities to release sites, adult flies are usually chilled to reduce metabolism and stress during transportation. To guide SIT procedures, it is important to understand the impact of such practices on performance of sterile Q-fly. The present study assesses the effect of chilling temperature and exposure period on quality parameters of sterile Q-fly. We considered the effects of two temperature regimes (4 and 6°C) and six exposure periods (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 h) on chill-coma recovery time, flight ability, survival under nutritional stress, and longevity of both males and females. Flies chilled at 4°C took longer to recover than that those chilled at 6°C. Flight ability, survival under nutritional stress, and longevity all decreased as chilling period increased but did not differ between the two tested temperatures. We recommend that periods of chilling during transportation from rear-out facilities to release sites be minimized in order to retain quality of sterile Q-fly and that increased release rates be considered when longer chilling periods are required.
- Published
- 2021
25. Stable isotopes for reliable identification of wild and mass-reared Queensland fruit flies in sterile insect technique programs
- Author
-
Phillip W. Taylor, A. S. Andrew, Bishwo P. Mainali, and Polychronis Rempoulakis
- Subjects
Sterile insect technique ,Queensland Fruit Flies ,Larva ,Entomology ,δ13C ,Stable isotope ratio ,fungi ,Zoology ,δ15N ,PEST analysis ,Biology ,Agronomy and Crop Science - Abstract
Queensland fruit fly is one of the most economically important horticultural pests in Australia. Sterile insect technique (SIT) is now being reconsidered and upscaled to combat this pest so reliable discrimination of released sterile Q-flies from wild flies in monitoring traps is important for effective SIT operations. Stable isotopes provide a permanent chemical marker to discriminate sterile and wild flies when dye marking is unclear. In this study, we compared the isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen between Q-flies reared on different larval diets and wild flies collected from diverse locations in Australia and New Caledonia. Finally, we conducted a release–recapture study to corroborate differences in stable isotope C and N ratios in laboratory-reared and wild Q-flies. The δ15N values obtained from wild and laboratory Q-flies showed high variability that is likely related to the food source of the larval and/or adult stage and do not offer an effective means to discriminate between sterile and wild Q-flies. The δ13C values of examined wild Q-flies ranged from − 27.46 to − 24.37‰ VPDB, whereas those from laboratory-reared, released and recaptured Q-flies ranged from − 25.73 to − 19.26‰ VPDB. Differences in δ13C values resulted in 100% correct classification of wild flies and 96.88% correct classification of released flies. Measurements of intrinsic δ13C values offer a precise tool to discriminate between sterile and wild Q-flies in SIT programs, regardless of the composition of the larval or adult pre-release diets.
- Published
- 2021
26. Real‐time <scp>PCR</scp> ‐based Y‐specific sperm quantification assay in <scp>Queensland</scp> fruit fly: Insights to patterns of sperm storage
- Author
-
Siu F. Lee, Phillip W. Taylor, and J. Shadmany
- Subjects
Male ,0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,endocrine system ,Quantification methods ,Pcr assay ,Computational biology ,Biology ,Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ,01 natural sciences ,Effective solution ,03 medical and health sciences ,Spermatheca ,Y Chromosome ,Reproductive biology ,Genetics ,Animals ,Molecular Biology ,reproductive and urinary physiology ,urogenital system ,Tephritidae ,fungi ,Spermatozoa ,Sperm ,010602 entomology ,030104 developmental biology ,Real-time polymerase chain reaction ,Insect Science ,Spermatogenesis - Abstract
Studies of reproductive biology in insects often require quantification of sperm production, transfer or storage. Here, we develop a quantitative real-time PCR-based assay using a Y-specific marker for quantification of sperm from spermathecae of female Queensland fruit fly ('Q-fly'), overcoming constraints typical of traditional sperm quantification methods. The assay enables accurate and reliable quantification of as few as 50 sperm and provides a means to analyse large numbers of samples with flexible timing. The real-time PCR method enables revised understanding of how many sperm are stored by female Q-flies, the distribution of storage between the two spermathecae, and the relationship between copula duration and sperm storage. Real-time PCR assays based on Y-specific markers provide an effective solution for sperm quantification in tephritid flies, as well as in other insects and potentially other animals with sperm storage organs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
- Published
- 2021
27. Spatio‐temporal distribution of sexual calling behaviour in domesticated, sterile and wild Queensland fruit fly males under field cage conditions
- Author
-
Jess R. Inskeep, Polychronis Rempoulakis, Phillip W. Taylor, Bishwo P. Mainali, and Christopher W. Weldon
- Subjects
Male ,0106 biological sciences ,Bactrocera tryoni ,biology ,Tephritidae ,Assortative mating ,Australia ,Outbreak ,Zoology ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,Sexual Behavior, Animal ,010602 entomology ,Sterile insect technique ,Light intensity ,Insect Science ,Animals ,Mating ,Domestication ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
BACKGROUND The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used in Australia to contain and eradicate outbreaks of Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in fruit-fly-free regions, and to manage populations in some endemic regions. To assess the likely impact of SIT on wild B. tryoni populations it is important to assess the colocation and synchrony of male calling between sterile and wild flies. We observed the location and timing of calling behaviours of marked mass-reared (fertile and sterile) and wild B. tryoni males in walk-in field cages. RESULTS We found that wild males called further from the canopy centre than mass-reared (fertile or sterile) males. Mass-reared (fertile or sterile) males called earlier in the evening than wild males and, consequently, mass-reared males called when temperature and light intensity were higher than when wild males called. CONCLUSION Male calling is a prerequisite to mating among dacine fruit flies. Therefore, our observations of spatio-temporal divergence in male calling behaviour may lead to assortative mating between mass-reared and wild B. tryoni in SIT applications. The importance of these spatio-temporal differences warrants further inquiry, with particular focus on how environmental conditions modify calling behaviour and avenues to ameliorate differences between sterile and wild flies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
- Published
- 2021
28. Genetic variation for rectal gland volatiles among recently collected isofemale lines and a domesticated strain of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
- Author
-
Cynthia Castro-Vargas, Gunjan Pandey, Heng Lin Yeap, Shirleen S. Prasad, Michael J. Lacey, Siu Fai Lee, Soo J. Park, Phillip W. Taylor, and John G. Oakeshott
- Subjects
Multidisciplinary - Abstract
Divergence between populations in mating behaviour can function as a potent premating isolating mechanism and promote speciation. However, very few cases of inherited intraspecific variation in sexual signalling have been reported in tephritid fruit flies, despite them being a highly speciose family. We tested for such variation in one tephritid, the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Qfly). Qfly mating behaviour depends on volatiles secreted from male rectal glands but no role for the volatiles from female rectal glands has yet been reported. We previously detected over 100 volatile compounds in male rectal glands and identified over 30 of them. Similar numbers were recorded in females. However, many compounds showed presence/absence differences between the sexes and many others showed quantitative differences between them. Here we report inherited variation among 24 Qfly lines (23 isofemale lines established from recent field collections and one domesticated line) in the abundance of three esters, two alcohols, two amides, an aldehyde and 18 unidentified volatiles in male rectal glands. We did not find any compounds in female rectal glands that varied significantly among the lines, although this may at least partly reflect lower female sample numbers. Most of the 26 male compounds that differed between lines were more abundant in the domesticated line than any of the recently established isofemale lines, which concurs with other evidence for changes in mating behaviour during domestication of this species. There were also large differences in several of the 26 compounds among the isofemale lines, and some of these differences were associated with the regions from which the lines were collected. While some of the variation in different compounds was correlated across lines, much of it was not, implicating involvement of multiple genes. Our findings parallel reports of geographic variation in other Qfly traits and point to inherited differences in reproductive physiology that could provide a basis for evolution of premating isolation between ecotypes.
- Published
- 2023
29. Tracing the origins of recent Queensland fruit fly incursions into South Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand
- Author
-
Dongmei Li, Owain R. Edwards, P. Crisp, Phillip W. Taylor, Guy Westmore, John G. Oakeshott, Siu F. Lee, Renee A. Catullo, Ángel David Popa-Báez, Heng Lin Yeap, and Emilie Cameron
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Bactrocera tryoni ,education.field_of_study ,Ecology ,biology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Population size ,Population ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,law.invention ,Fishery ,Taxon ,law ,Quarantine ,Reference database ,Bactrocera ,education ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Reference dataset - Abstract
Incursions of the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Qfly) into areas without permanent Qfly populations present serious threats to the Australian and New Zealand horticultural industries. Identifying the origins of recent incursions will help reduce future threats by enabling the targeting of problematic incursion routes for more stringent quarantine protocols. Here we present an analytical framework based on supervised and unsupervised machine learning to identify the origins and recent population history of incursion individuals. Our framework is based on a recently developed reference dataset of genome-wide markers for 35 Qfly populations from across the ranges of Qfly and the related taxon Bactrocera aquilonis (NTfly). We apply our framework to recent incursions into New Zealand, Tasmania and South Australia. Two distinct Qfly sources were identified for incursions into New Zealand (total 18 individuals), one from the east coast of Australia and one from New Caledonia. All eight recent incursion collections analysed (total 85 individuals) from South Australia and Tasmania most likely originated from just one of six clusters of populations in our reference database, Qfly from the east coast of Australia. None were found to originate from clusters containing NTfly or Qfly/NTfly hybrids in the Northern Territory or north Western Australia. Several, but not all, of the collections showed signals of small founding population size and two Tasmanian collections each included individuals apparently derived from three different sources within the east coast of Australia. In total, several more incursion events were detected than previously known, although some were founded by relatively few individuals.
- Published
- 2021
30. Rectal gland exudates and emissions of Bactrocera bryoniae: chemical identification, electrophysiological and pheromonal functions
- Author
-
Soo Jean Park, Joanne F. Jamie, Phillip W. Taylor, Ian M. Jamie, and Saeedeh Noushini
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Ethyl myristate ,Olfaction ,Biology ,01 natural sciences ,Biochemistry ,010602 entomology ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Endocrinology ,chemistry ,Internal medicine ,Sex pheromone ,medicine ,Ethyl palmitate ,Pheromone ,Bactrocera bryoniae ,Undecane ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Acetamide ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Bactrocera bryoniae is a polyphagous and economically significant fruit fly found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia. To understand chemical-mediated sexual communication, and the potential for novel pheromone-based attractants for monitoring and mass-trapping of B. bryoniae, rectal gland exudates and emissions from sexually mature males and females were investigated. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed that male rectal glands contained six compounds, of which 1,7-dioxaspiro[5,5]undecane elicited electroantennographic (EAD) and electropalpographic (EPD) responses in both sexes, ethyl 3-acetoxybutanoate elicited EPD responses in both sexes, N-(3-methylbutyl)acetamide elicited EAD response from males and 4-hydroxy-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane elicited EAD responses in males and females and EPD responses in females. Female rectal glands contained 23 compounds with the esters ethyl laurate and ethyl myristate as major components. Amongst the female rectal gland constituents, ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate and ethyl palmitate elicited EAD responses in males and females, N-(3-methylbutyl)acetamide elicited EAD responses in males only, (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane elicited EAD responses in males and EPD responses in females, and 2,7-dimethyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane, (E,E)-2-ethyl-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane, (E,E)-2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, (Z,Z)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, (E,E)-2-propyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and ethyl caprate elicited EPD responses in females only. Y-tube bioassays indicated that male rectal gland extracts and headspace volatiles attracted females and males, while female rectal gland extracts and headspace volatiles only attracted males. The results suggest that ethyl 3-acetoxybutanoate, 1,7-dioxaspiro[5,5]undecane and 4-hydroxy-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane may be components of male-produced sex pheromone in B. bryoniae while (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, N-(3-methylbutyl)acetamide, ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate and ethyl palmitate may be components of female-produced sex pheromone. Ethyl 3-acetoxybutanoate, N-(3-methylbutyl) acetamide, 1,7-dioxaspiro[5,5]undecane and 4-hydroxy-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane may be components of male aggregation pheromone. These findings contribute to the understanding of pheromone communication in B. bryoniae and provide a foundation for developing pheromone-based monitoring and control methods.
- Published
- 2020
31. Disruption of duplicated yellow genes in Bactrocera tryoni modifies pigmentation colouration and impacts behaviour
- Author
-
Simon W. Baxter, Amanda Choo, P. Crisp, Thu N. M. Nguyen, Vivian Mendez, Phillip W. Taylor, Christopher M. Ward, and Alexie Papanicolaou
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Bactrocera tryoni ,biology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,fungi ,Longevity ,Wild type ,Mutagenesis (molecular biology technique) ,Zoology ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,010602 entomology ,Sterile insect technique ,Tephritidae ,Mating ,Drosophila melanogaster ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,media_common - Abstract
Irradiated Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni) used in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programmes are marked with fluorescent dyes to distinguish them from wild flies when recaptured in monitoring traps. However, coating sterile pupae with powdered dyes can reduce emergence rates and fly quality and can sometimes produce insufficiently certain discrimination through inadequate coating or because the dye is transferred to wild flies through contact. Here we created a phenotypically distinct B. tryoni strain that lacks typical melanisation patterns through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of tandemly duplicated yellow-y genes and then assessed effects of this visible trait on fly performance. Recessive mutations are only required in one of these copies to restrict melanisation and generate a phenotype clearly distinguished from wild type. The yellow strain showed significant declines in eclosion rates and in the percentage of fliers directly after emergence. Locomotor activity was greater in the yellow strain, and these mutations did not generally affect mating probability, copula latency, or copula duration. The longevity of yellow flies was approximately 10 days shorter than wild-type flies in both sexes. Overall, replacing dyes with yellow body marker for SIT can simplify production, eliminate a step that is known to reduce fly quality, remove potentially hazardous dyes from production, enable accurate discrimination from wild flies, and improve cost-effectiveness; however, direct comparisons of the decrements in performance associated with dyes on mass-reared wild-type flies and disruption of yellow-y genes are now required to determine the relative suitability of these marking methods for B. tryoni SIT.
- Published
- 2020
32. Sampling technique biases in the analysis of fruit fly volatiles: a case study of Queensland fruit fly
- Author
-
Soo Jean Park, Joanne F. Jamie, Phillip W. Taylor, Ian M. Jamie, and Saeedeh Noushini
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Vinyl Compounds ,Tenax ,lcsh:Medicine ,Solid-phase microextraction ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Animals ,Hexanes ,Dimethylpolysiloxanes ,Semiochemical ,lcsh:Science ,Solid Phase Microextraction ,Dichloromethane ,Bactrocera tryoni ,Methylene Chloride ,Multidisciplinary ,Chromatography ,biology ,Ethanol ,Chemistry ,Extraction (chemistry) ,Tephritidae ,lcsh:R ,biology.organism_classification ,Chemical biology ,010602 entomology ,Sex pheromone ,lcsh:Q ,Undecane ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Diverse methods have been used to sample insect semiochemicals. Sampling methods can differ in efficiency and affinity and this can introduce significant biases when interpreting biological patterns. We compare common methods used to sample tephritid fruit fly rectal gland volatiles (‘pheromones’), focusing on Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni. Solvents of different polarity, n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethanol, were compared using intact and crushed glands. Polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene and polyacrylate were compared as adsorbents for solid phase microextraction. Tenax-GR and Porapak Q were compared as adsorbents for dynamic headspace sampling. Along with compounds previously reported for B. tryoni, we detected five previously unreported compounds in males, and three in females. Dichloromethane extracted more amides while there was no significant difference between the three solvents in extraction of spiroacetals except for (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane for which n-hexane extracted higher amount than both dichloromethane and ethanol. Ethanol failed to contain many of the more volatile compounds. Crushed rectal gland samples provided higher concentrations of extracted compounds than intact rectal gland samples, but no compounds were missed in intact samples. Of solid phase microextraction fibers, polyacrylate had low affinity for spiroacetals, ethyl isobutyrate and ethyl-2-methylbutanoate. Polydimethylsiloxane was more efficient for spiroacetals while type of fiber did not affect the amounts of amides and esters. In dynamic headspace sampling, Porapak was more efficient for ethyl isobutyrate and spiroacetals, while Tenax was more efficient for other esters and amides, and sampling time was a critical factor. Biases that can be introduced by sampling methods are important considerations when collecting and interpreting insect semiochemical profiles.
- Published
- 2020
33. Decoding an ancient biological control: The kairomonal basis of fruit fly repellence from weaver ants
- Author
-
Vivek Kempraj, Soo Jean Park, Donald Cameron, and Phillip W. Taylor
- Abstract
Humans have used weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, as biological control agents to control insect pests in orchards for many centuries. Over recent decades, the effectiveness of weaver ants as biological control agents has been attributed in part to kairomones produced by the ants, but the chemical identity of these kairomones has remained unknown. We have identified the kairomone responsible for deterrence by O. smaragdina, providing a significant advance in understanding the chemical basis of their predator/prey interactions. Olfactometer assays with extracts from weaver ants demonstrated headspace volatiles to be highly repellent to Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni. Using electrophysiology and bioassays, we demonstrate that this repellence is induced by a single compound, 1-octanol. Of 16 compounds identified in O. smaragdina headspace, only 1-octanol evoked an electrophysiological response from B. tryoni antennae. Flies had greatly reduced oviposition and spent significantly less time in an olfactometer arm in the presence of 1-octanol or a synthetic blend of headspace volatiles containing 1-octanol than in the presence of a synthetic blend of headspace volatiles without 1-octanol, or clean air. Taken together, our results demonstrate that 1-octanol is the functional kairomone component of O. smaragdina headspace that explains repellence and oviposition deterrence, and is hence an important contributor to the effectiveness of these ants as biological control agents.
- Published
- 2022
34. Reduced quality of sterile Queensland fruit fly following post-production stress from hypoxia, irradiation and vibration
- Author
-
Bishwo P. Mainali, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis, and Maurizio Benelli
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,fungi ,Pest control ,Hypoxia (environmental) ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Toxicology ,010602 entomology ,Sterile insect technique ,Quality (business) ,Irradiation ,PEST analysis ,business ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,media_common - Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT), a benign pest control strategy, is currently undergoing a substantial renewal for controlling the Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), a major horticultural pest in Australia. Production and delivery of high-quality flies is fundamental to effective SIT. While efforts are commonly made to improve production at a factory level (both quantity and quality), the methods and conditions during post-production operations also need to be tuned to minimize reductions in fly quality. Hypoxia, irradiation and vibration are important stressors that are experienced by pupae during production, packing and transportation. However, little is known about the impacts of such stressors on Q-fly quality. We conducted two laboratory experiments to investigate the response of Q-fly to such post-production stressors, with the aim of then developing guidelines that minimize quality reductions for SIT programs. In Experiment 1, Q-fly pupae of different ages (3, 6 or 9-day old) were exposed to vibrations for 5, 30, 60 and 300 s. Flight ability tests revealed that 6- and 9-day-old pupae were the most sensitive to vibration, with significant reduction in emergence and percentage of fliers. In Experiment 2, the effect of hypoxia, irradiation and vibration, in isolation or in combination, was evaluated on 9-day-old pupae. Irradiation and vibration exhibited a multiplicative negative effect on flight ability parameters. It is recommended not to subject pupae to intense or extensive vibration during the late pupal stage and to avoid prolonged periods of hypoxia.
- Published
- 2020
35. Vapor Pressures and Thermodynamic Properties of Phenylpropanoid and Phenylbutanoid Attractants of Male Bactrocera, Dacus, and Zeugodacus Fruit Flies at Ambient Temperatures
- Author
-
Soo Jean Park, Phillip W. Taylor, Ian M. Jamie, Donald N. S. Cameron, and Christopher McRae
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Zingerone ,Ketone ,biology ,Phenylpropanoid ,Vapor pressure ,010401 analytical chemistry ,Raspberry ketone ,General Chemistry ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Dacus ,chemistry ,Methyl eugenol ,Organic chemistry ,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences ,Volatility (chemistry) ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
We report on the vapor pressures at ambient temperatures of seven attractants of Bactrocera, Dacus, and Zeugodacus fruit flies—raspberry ketone, cuelure, raspberry ketone trifluoroacetate, methyl e...
- Published
- 2020
36. Insecticidal activity of ring-fluorinated benzyl acetone analogs in Queensland fruit fly, a softer class of insecticides
- Author
-
Phillip W. Taylor, Ian M. Jamie, Soo Jean Park, and Marianne Peso
- Subjects
Benzyl acetone ,Bactrocera tryoni ,Human health ,fungi ,Toxicity ,Organic chemistry ,Natural enemies ,Mammalian toxicity ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Inhibitory effect - Abstract
Insecticides used to control fruit fly pests have been implicated in negative effects on natural enemies, human health and the environment. As potential ‘softer’ insecticides, natural compounds such as essential oils and their constituents have received increased attention as insecticide candidates. Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is the most economically damaging fruit fly species in Australia. Cuelure and melolure are plant-based attractants of males in Q-fly and many other dacine fruit flies and are structurally similar to benzyl acetone. We hypothesized that fluorination of benzyl acetone would introduce toxicity that could be exploited for insecticidal applications. Toxicity to Q-fly of nine fluorinated analogs of benzyl acetone as well as the known attractants cuelure and melolure was investigated. LC50 and LC90 values of the compounds were obtained using a surface-film assay method. Fluorination at the meta and/or para-position of benzene ring was found to increase toxicity to both Q-fly sexes. We further examined toxicity and short-range attraction to Q-fly using traps in outdoor cages. The nine fluorinated analogs of benzyl acetone were all highly toxic to male Q-flies, whereas cuelure and melolure were not. Some analogs were attractive to male Q-flies. None of the nine analogs, cuelure or melolure had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells, suggesting very low or negligible mammalian toxicity. Fluorinated analogs of benzyl acetone have potential as new toxicants for Q-fly, and likely other insects, and some may also have attractive properties for cuelure-responding fruit flies.
- Published
- 2020
37. Methoprene‐induced matings of young Queensland fruit fly males are effective at inducing sexual inhibition in females
- Author
-
Iffat Farhana, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis, and Saleh Mohammad Adnan
- Subjects
Bactrocera tryoni ,Queensland Fruit Flies ,biology ,Sexual inhibition ,Physiology ,Methoprene ,biology.organism_classification ,Sterile insect technique ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Dietary treatment ,chemistry ,Insect Science ,Juvenile hormone ,behavior and behavior mechanisms ,Mating ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,reproductive and urinary physiology - Abstract
Pre‐release dietary treatment with methoprene, a juvenile hormone analogue, decreases the age at which male Queensland fruit flies mature and hence may decrease the post‐release delay until released sterile flies participate in sterile insect technique (SIT) programmes. However, if matings of young methoprene‐treated males are not effective at inducing sexual inhibition in their mates, then this treatment may not enhance SIT. The present study investigates efficacy of matings of methoprene‐treated males at inducing sexual inhibition in their mates. Methoprene incorporated into a diet of sugar and yeast hydrolysate (w/w 3:1) for 48 hr after emergence resulted in significantly increased male mating propensity when flies were
- Published
- 2020
38. Forewarned is forearmed: Queensland fruit flies detect olfactory cues from predators and respond with predator-specific behaviour
- Author
-
Vivek Kempraj, Phillip W. Taylor, and Soo Jean Park
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Male ,Queensland Fruit Flies ,Behavioural ecology ,Oviposition ,Foraging ,Olfactory cues ,Zoology ,lcsh:Medicine ,Evolutionary ecology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Predation ,03 medical and health sciences ,Animals ,Mating ,lcsh:Science ,Predator ,Bactrocera tryoni ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Ecology ,Ants ,Tephritidae ,fungi ,lcsh:R ,Spiders ,biology.organism_classification ,Smell ,030104 developmental biology ,Active time ,Predatory Behavior ,Female ,lcsh:Q - Abstract
Animals can gain significant advantages from abilities to detect cues from predators, assess risks, and respond adaptively to reduce the likelihood of injurious interactions. In contrast, predator cue-induced changes in behaviour may interfere with fitness-associated activities such as exploration, foraging and reproduction. Despite the ecological importance of predator-prey interactions in insects, remarkably little is known about the abilities of insects to detect and respond to olfactory cues from predators, or the potential costs of such responses. We here demonstrate that a tephritid fruit fly, the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni, is able to detect and respond differentially to volatile olfactory cues from four potential predators (three spiders and an ant) that vary in prevalence and diurnal activity. Male and female flies increased or decreased motility (velocity, active time, distance moved), or exhibited no change in motility, depending on which predator volatiles they encountered. Further, flies significantly reduced foraging, oviposition and mating propensity in the presence of volatiles from any of the predators. This study is the first report of predator-specific responses to olfactory cues in a tephritid fruit fly, and highlights that such anti-predator responses can impose costs on general activity and reproductive behaviour.
- Published
- 2020
39. Patterns of sperm use by twice-mated female Queensland fruit flies
- Author
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Jason Shadmany, Siu F. Lee, Thu N. M. Nguyen, and Phillip W. Taylor
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Male ,Sexual Behavior, Animal ,Semen ,Insect Science ,Reproduction ,Tephritidae ,Animals ,Female ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Spermatozoa ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Multiple mating by females, polyandry, is common in insects, including in tephritid fruit flies. Female insects that remate commonly store sperm of multiple males. How the sperm of different males contribute to paternity is an important element of sexual selection. Sexual behavior and reproduction of the Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), Bactrocera tryoni, has been extensively investigated both in relation to understanding this economically important species' reproductive biology and in relation to implications for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), whereby sterile flies are released to constrain reproduction of pest populations. Despite numerous studies of pre- and postcopulatory sexual selection in Qfly, there have been no direct studies of paternity patterns in polyandrous female Qflies. We used two morphologically distinguishable lines to investigate patterns of sperm use in Qfly. The two lines showed comparable mating performance evidenced by similar mating and remating frequency, copula duration, and proportion of second mate paternity (P2) between reciprocal crosses. The mechanism of sperm usage, with P2 close to 0.5 immediately after the second mating followed by gradual decrease of P2 as females aged, is most consistent with stratification or repositioning of sperm. Patterns observed in the present study are compared with the available information from other tephritid fruit flies, and are discussed in relation to this species' reproductive biology, known patterns of sperm storage, and SIT.
- Published
- 2021
40. Electrophysiological Responses of Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy) (Tephritidae) to Rectal Gland Secretions and Headspace Volatiles Emitted by Conspecific Males and Females
- Author
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Phillip W. Taylor, Ian M. Jamie, Sally Noushini, Soo Jean Park, Danielle Holgate, Vivian Mendez, Jeanneth Pérez, and Joanne F. Jamie
- Subjects
Male ,Pharmaceutical Science ,Zoology ,Olfaction ,Article ,Analytical Chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,pheromone ,QD241-441 ,Tephritidae ,Drug Discovery ,Animals ,GC–MS ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Mating ,EAD ,Volatile Organic Compounds ,biology ,Organic Chemistry ,Rectum ,biology.organism_classification ,electrophysiology ,Electrophysiological Phenomena ,chemistry ,Chemistry (miscellaneous) ,EPD ,Sex pheromone ,Molecular Medicine ,Pheromone ,Female ,PEST analysis ,Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry ,Undecane ,olfaction - Abstract
Pheromones are biologically important in fruit fly mating systems, and also have potential applications as attractants or mating disrupters for pest management. Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous pest fruit fly for which the chemical profile of rectal glands is available for males but not for females. There have been no studies of the volatile emissions of either sex or of electrophysiological responses to these compounds. The present study (i) establishes the chemical profiles of rectal gland contents and volatiles emitted by both sexes of B. kraussi by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and (ii) evaluates the detection of the identified compounds by gas chromatography–electroantennogram detection (GC–EAD) and –electropalpogram detection (GC–EPD). Sixteen compounds are identified in the rectal glands of male B. kraussi and 29 compounds are identified in the rectal glands of females. Of these compounds, 5 were detected in the headspace of males and 13 were detected in the headspace of females. GC–EPD assays recorded strong signals in both sexes against (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 2-ethyl-7-mehtyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane isomer 2, (E,Z)/(Z,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, and (Z,Z)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane. Male antennae responded to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 2-methyl-6-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 6-hexyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 6-oxononan-1-ol, ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate and ethyl (Z)-hexadec-9-enoate, whereas female antennae responded to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and 2-methyl-6-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran only. These compounds are candidates as pheromones mediating sexual interactions in B. kraussi.
- Published
- 2021
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41. Diversity and sex differences in rectal gland volatiles of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
- Author
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Cynthia Castro-Vargas, Gunjan Pandey, Heng Lin Yeap, Michael J. Lacey, Siu Fai Lee, Soo J. Park, Phillip W. Taylor, and John G. Oakeshott
- Subjects
Male ,Salt Gland ,Sex Characteristics ,Multidisciplinary ,Fatty Acids ,Tephritidae ,Animals ,Female ,Ketones ,Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - Abstract
Rectal gland volatiles are key mediators of sexual interactions in tephritid fruit flies. We used solid-phase microextraction (SPME) plus gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to substantially expand rectal gland chemical characterisation of the Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae); Qfly). The SPME GC-MS analysis identified 24 of the 30 compounds previously recorded from Qfly rectal glands, plus another 21 compounds that had not previously been reported. A few amides and fatty acid esters dominated the chromatograms of males and females respectively, but we also found other esters, alcohols and aldehydes and a ketone. The GC-FID analyses also revealed over 150 others, as yet unidentified, volatiles, generally in lesser amounts. The GC-FID analyses also showed 49 and 12 compounds were male- and female-specific, respectively, both in single sex (virgin) and mixed sex (mostly mated) groups. Another ten compounds were male-specific among virgins but undetected in mixed sex groups, and 29 were undetected in virgins but male-specific in mixed sex groups. The corresponding figures for females were four and zero, respectively. Most short retention time peaks (including a ketone and an ester) were male-specific, whereas most female-biased peaks (including five fatty acid esters) had long retention times. Our results indicate previously unsuspected diversity of rectal gland volatiles that might have pheromone functions in males, but far fewer in females.
- Published
- 2022
42. Canopy distribution and microclimate preferences of sterile and wild Queensland fruit flies
- Author
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Andrew P. Allen, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis, Jess R. Inskeep, and Christopher W. Weldon
- Subjects
Male ,0106 biological sciences ,Canopy ,Behavioural ecology ,Science ,Population Dynamics ,Microclimate ,Environment ,Insect Control ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Sterile insect technique ,Tephritidae ,Animals ,Abiotic component ,Bactrocera tryoni ,Analysis of Variance ,Multidisciplinary ,Behavior, Animal ,Invasive species ,biology ,fungi ,Animal behaviour ,biology.organism_classification ,010602 entomology ,Light intensity ,Agronomy ,Habitat ,Medicine ,Female ,Introduced Species ,Entomology - Abstract
Insects tend to live within well-defined habitats, and at smaller scales can have distinct microhabitat preferences. These preferences are important, but often overlooked, in applications of the sterile insect technique. Different microhabitat preferences of sterile and wild insects may reflect differences in environmental tolerance and may lead to spatial separation in the field, both of which may reduce the control program efficiency. In this study, we compared the diurnal microhabitat distributions of mass-reared (fertile and sterile) and wild Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Flies were individually tagged and released into field cages containing citrus trees. We recorded their locations in the canopies (height from ground, distance from canopy center), behavior (resting, grooming, walking, feeding), and the abiotic conditions on occupied leaves (temperature, humidity, light intensity) throughout the day. Flies from all groups moved lower in the canopy when temperature and light intensity were high, and humidity was low; lower canopy regions provided shelter from these conditions. Fertile and sterile mass-reared flies of both sexes were generally lower in the canopies than wild flies. Flies generally fed from the top sides of leaves that were lower in the canopy, suggesting food sources in these locations. Our observations suggest that mass-reared and wild B. tryoni occupy different locations in tree canopies, which could indicate different tolerances to environmental extremes and may result in spatial separation of sterile and wild flies when assessed at a landscape scale.
- Published
- 2021
43. Dietary methoprene enhances sexual competitiveness of sterile male Queensland fruit flies in field cages
- Author
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Jess R. Inskeep, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis, Saleh Mohammad Adnan, and Iffat Farhana
- Subjects
Bactrocera tryoni ,Queensland Fruit Flies ,Ecology ,Sterility ,fungi ,High mortality ,Zoology ,Methoprene ,Plant Science ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Sterile insect technique ,chemistry ,Insect Science ,Tephritidae ,Juvenile hormone ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Queensland fruit flies Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) have a long adult maturation phase which, together with high mortality rates, can substantially reduce number of released flies that survive to mature and contribute to sterile insect technique (SIT) programmes. This constraint on SIT can potentially be addressed by incorporating methoprene, a juvenile hormone analogue, into an adult diet of sugar and yeast hydrolysate for 2 days after emergence. Methoprene treatments have been found to accelerate sexual development of male Queensland fruit fly, resulting in increased mating propensity of 5–7-day-old males in no-choice laboratory trials. Before considering deployment of methoprene as a pre-release treatment in SIT, it is necessary to demonstrate mating competitiveness and compatibility of methoprene-treated flies under field-like conditions. In the present study, we assessed whether methoprene treatment increases ability of sterile males (5 and 7 days old) to compete with mature (wild or laboratory) males for matings with mature (wild or laboratory) females in field cages. We also investigated mating compatibility to test for sexual isolation between sterile flies and mature (wild or laboratory) fertile flies. In mating competitiveness tests, methoprene-treated males of either age outperformed mature wild or laboratory males for matings with mature wild or laboratory females, respectively. Untreated 5- and 7-day-old males were less competitive than mature wild or laboratory mature males and hence had lower relative sterility indexes. Methoprene-treated males mated earlier in the evening and continued mating for longer than untreated sterile males and mature wild or laboratory males. In mating compatibility trials, methoprene-treated males mated equally with methoprene-treated females and mature females, whereas methoprene-treated females tended to mate more often with mature males than with methoprene-treated males. However, untreated flies of both sexes exhibited substantial sexual isolation. Pairings that comprised methoprene-treated males and mature females had shorter mating latency and longer copulations than other pairings. Unlike males, methoprene-treated females did not exhibit changes in mating latency or duration. Overall, the present study supports the use of pre-release dietary methoprene treatment in Queensland fruit fly SIT.
- Published
- 2019
44. γ‐Octalactone, an effective oviposition stimulant of Bactrocera tryoni
- Author
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Phillip W. Taylor, Vivek Kempraj, and Soo Jean Park
- Subjects
Bactrocera tryoni ,Integrated pest management ,biology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Olfactory cues ,Zoology ,biology.organism_classification ,Bactrocera dorsalis ,Stimulant ,Sterile insect technique ,Insect Science ,Tephritidae ,medicine ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Sensory cue - Abstract
Insects commonly rely on olfactory, gustatory and visual cues when deciding where to lay eggs. The olfactory cues that stimulate oviposition in the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), are not well understood. Here, we show that two known oviposition stimulants of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae)—γ‐octalactone and benzothiazole—strongly elicit aggregation and oviposition in B. tryoni. Two other known oviposition stimulants of B. dorsalis—ethyl tiglate and 1‐octen‐3‐ol—elicit aggregation but not oviposition. Highlighting species overlap, but also differences, in oviposition stimulants, these findings have practical application for mass‐rearing in which vast numbers of flies are reared for sterile insect technique programs and may also have practical application in the development of pest management and monitoring tools.
- Published
- 2019
45. Comparison of Gel Larval Diet With Traditional Lucerne Chaff and Carrot Solid Diets for Rearing of Queensland Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)
- Author
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Bishwo P. Mainali, Fleur Ponton, Tahereh Moadeli, and Phillip W. Taylor
- Subjects
Bactrocera tryoni ,Larva ,Ecology ,biology ,Tephritidae ,fungi ,Australia ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,Daucus carota ,Diet ,Pupa ,Sterile insect technique ,Chaff ,Animal science ,Insect Science ,Animals ,Control parameters ,Medicago sativa - Abstract
Sterile insect technique (SIT) for Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt, Australia’s most economically damaging fruit fly species, is currently undergoing a major renewal and expansion. SIT relies on efficient and economical mass-rearing procedures that produce high-quality flies. Two solid larval diets, carrot and lucerne chaff, have traditionally been used to rear Queensland fruit fly. Recently, a gel larval diet has been developed to eliminate biological bulking agents from the mass-rearing process, but to date, there has been no direct comparison of gel larval diet with traditional solid diets. In the present study, the performance of flies reared on gel larval diet was compared with the performance of flies reared on carrot and lucerne chaff diets. In addition, to investigate whether the performance of reared flies depends on ancestral diet as well as tested diet, we sourced eggs from a colony maintained on carrot diet and from a colony maintained on a lucerne chaff diet. Overall, the gel diet was as good or better than the solid diets in all quality control parameters, including, egg–larval duration, pupal number, pupal recovery, adult emergence, percentage of fliers, and rate of fliers. Of note, larvae developed faster and pupated more synchronously on the gel diet than on either of the solid diets. At the loading densities used, gel and carrot diets produced less waste than lucerne chaff diet. Gel diets offer a rearing solution for Queensland fruit fly that eliminates biological bulking agents and yields faster and more synchronous larval development without compromising productivity or quality.
- Published
- 2019
46. Multiple intraguild predators reduce mortality risk of a mutual agricultural pest prey in simple, but not in complex, experimental settings
- Author
-
Mary E. A. Whitehouse, Dalila Rendon, and Phillip W. Taylor
- Subjects
Ecology ,biology ,Biological pest control ,Agricultural pest ,biology.organism_classification ,Helicoverpa ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Predation ,Simple (philosophy) - Published
- 2019
47. Cool storage of Queensland fruit fly pupae for improved management of mass production schedules
- Author
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Maurizio Benelli, Urvashi Lallu, Phillip W. Taylor, Katherine A. Mitchell, and Fleur Ponton
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Bactrocera tryoni ,biology ,Tephritidae ,Pupa ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,Cool storage ,Cold Temperature ,010602 entomology ,Horticulture ,Sterile insect technique ,Insect Science ,Cold acclimation ,Animals ,Environmental science ,PEST analysis ,Pest Control, Biological ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Background Cool storage is a valuable means of manipulating insect development time. The Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly) is Australia's most economically significant pest of fruit crops. The present study investigates cool storage of Q-fly pupae for increasing production flexibility for sterile insect technique programs. Development time, survival and fly quality were assessed following continuous storage of 1-day-old pupae at temperatures ranging from 13 to 25 °C. Results Survival was reduced almost to zero by pupal storage at 13 and 15 °C, was greatly reduced by storage at 17 °C, and was modestly reduced by storage at 19 °C. Pupal development time was extended by 16 days at 17 °C and by 9 days at 19 °C. Cool storage negatively affected flight ability and depleted lipid reserves. Cool storage at 19 °C enhanced the ability of 3-day-old adults to recover from chill-coma compared to control flies, indicating cold acclimation. Conclusion There is potential for use of cool storage in Q-fly mass rearing, especially to improve alignment between production and field releases. For the purpose of delaying the development time of Q-fly pupae with minimal quality reduction, storage at 23 °C is recommended for 1-day-old pupae. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
- Published
- 2019
48. Domestication modifies the volatile emissions produced by male Queensland fruit flies during sexual advertisement
- Author
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Jeanneth Pérez, Soo Jean Park, and Phillip W. Taylor
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Male ,Queensland Fruit Flies ,Biological pest control ,Zoology ,lcsh:Medicine ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ,Domestication ,Sexual Behavior, Animal ,Animals ,Natural enemies ,Sequential sampling ,lcsh:Science ,Bactrocera tryoni ,Volatile Organic Compounds ,Multidisciplinary ,Tephritidae ,lcsh:R ,biology.organism_classification ,010602 entomology ,Female ,lcsh:Q ,Adaptation - Abstract
Insects commonly undergo substantial changes during adaptation for laboratory or mass-rearing environments (‘domestication’) that may have significant implications for inferences from laboratory studies and utility for biological control. We assessed the effect of domestication on the amount and blend of volatiles released during sexual calling by laboratory-reared Bactrocera tryoni males using colonies from three regions of Australia: Brisbane, Cairns and Sydney. For each region, volatiles released by males from a young colony (five or fewer generations) and an old colony (20+ generations) during sexual calling was compared. Males from old colonies released more volatiles than males from young colonies. All components of the blend were more abundant in one or more of the older colonies, although differences varied by compound and by region. To assess changes over generations, the young and old colonies obtained from Brisbane were sampled at 5, 12 and 15 generations (young colony) and 25, 35 and 38 generations (old colony). While the old colony remained unchanged, flies from the young colony released more volatiles at each sequential sampling episode, and became increasingly similar to the old colony. Increased volatile production during domestication may be an adaptive response to crowded rearing conditions in which males need to overcome a chemically noisy environment to be sexually successful.
- Published
- 2018
49. Trade-Off Between Duration of Pupal Hypoxia For Irradiation and Transportation and Quality Control Parameters of Sterile Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera Tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
- Author
-
Polychronis Rempoulakis, Phillip W. Taylor, Sushil K. Gaire, and Bishwo P. Mainali
- Subjects
Bactrocera tryoni ,Pupa ,Horticulture ,biology ,Tephritidae ,Hypoxia (environmental) ,biology.organism_classification ,Control parameters ,Trade-off - Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
- Published
- 2021
50. Improving Post-Factory Performance of Sterile Male Fruit Flies in Support of the Sterile Insect Technique
- Author
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Jorge Hendrichs, Todd E. Shelly, Ihsan ul Haq, D. O. McInnis, Phillip W. Taylor, Boaz Yuval, Peter E. A. Teal, Pablo Liedo, and R. Pereira
- Subjects
Sterile insect technique ,Horticulture ,Factory (object-oriented programming) ,Biology - Published
- 2021
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