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The fly factor phenomenon is mediated by interkingdom signaling between bacterial symbionts and their blow fly hosts

The fly factor phenomenon is mediated by interkingdom signaling between bacterial symbionts and their blow fly hosts

Authors :
Huimin Zhai
Margo M. Moore
Lorna Tu
Yonathan Uriel
Regine Gries
Cassandra S. Carroll
Gerhard Gries
Source :
Insect Science. 27:256-265
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
Wiley, 2018.

Abstract

We tested the recent hypothesis that the "fly factor" phenomenon (food currently or previously fed on by flies attracts more flies than the same type of food kept inaccessible to flies) is mediated by bacterial symbionts deposited with feces or regurgitated by feeding flies. We allowed laboratory-reared black blow flies, Phormia regina (Meigen), to feed and defecate on bacterial Luria-Bertani medium solidified with agar, and isolated seven morphologically distinct bacterial colonies. We identified these using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. In two-choice laboratory experiments, traps baited with cultures of Proteus mirabilis Hauser, Morganella morganii subsp. sibonii Jensen, or Serratia marcescens Bizio, captured significantly more flies than corresponding control jars baited with tryptic soy agar only. A mixture of seven bacterial strains as a trap bait was more attractive to flies than a single bacterial isolate (M. m. sibonii). In a field experiment, traps baited with agar cultures of P. mirabilis and M. m. sibonii in combination captured significantly more flies than traps baited with either bacterial isolate alone or the agar control. As evident by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the odor profiles of bacterial isolates differ, which may explain the additive effect of bacteria to the attractiveness of bacterial trap baits. As "generalist bacteria," P. mirabilis and M. m. sibonii growing on animal protein (beef liver) or plant protein (tofu) are similarly effective in attracting flies. Bacteria-derived airborne semiochemicals appear to mediate foraging by flies and to inform their feeding and oviposition decisions.

Details

ISSN :
17447917 and 16729609
Volume :
27
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Insect Science
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....bd82986ee906126efd5c12dec69a757a
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.12632