The Aversive Response of the Locust Locusta migratoria to 3-Octanone, an Odorant from Fungal Pathogens, Is Mediated by a Chemosensory Protein

Xiao Xu, Long Zhang and Xingbo Zhao ()
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Xiao Xu: College of Animal Science and Technology, West Campus, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
Long Zhang: College of Animal Science and Technology, West Campus, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
Xingbo Zhao: College of Animal Science and Technology, West Campus, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: (1) Locusts are important agricultural pests. Identifying harmful substances and avoiding them is important for locusts’ survival; their abilities to do so remain to be clarified. (2) We examined the electrophysiological (electroantennogram (EAG) and single sensillum recording (SSR)) and behavioral responses (preference behavior in a T-maze) of locusts to 18 different compounds; (3) Of these 18 compounds, 9 elicited strong EAG responses, and 3 elicited SSR responses of neurons expressing locust odorant receptor 3 ( Lmig OR3). The 11 chemicals that elicited stronger EAG or SSR responses were selected for evaluation of the behavioral responses of locusts. Only 2-heptanone induced significant attraction responses in locusts at the tested concentration. RNA interference (RNAi) of Lmig OR3 and SSR experiments revealed that Lmig OR3 could detect 2-heptanone and 3-octanone. However, in behavioral experiments, RNAi of Lmig OR3 did not alter 2-heptanone-induced attraction but increased attraction by 3-octanone. (4) Our results suggest that the broadly tuned receptor expressed in a heterologous expression system exhibits a narrow electrophysiological response spectrum, and the aversive response of locusts to 3-octanone, an odorant from fungal pathogens, natural enemies, and non-host plants, is mediated by Lmig OR3. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex olfactory recognition mechanism in insects.

Keywords: locusts; electrophysiological responses; behavioral responses; Lmig OR3; 3-octanone; aversiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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