4-Vinylanisole is an aggregation pheromone in locusts

Xiaojiao Guo, Qiaoqiao Yu, Dafeng Chen, Jianing Wei, Pengcheng Yang, Jia Yu, Xianhui Wang () and Le Kang ()
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Xiaojiao Guo: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qiaoqiao Yu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dafeng Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jianing Wei: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Pengcheng Yang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jia Yu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xianhui Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Le Kang: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature, 2020, vol. 584, issue 7822, 584-588

Abstract: Abstract Locust plagues threaten agricultural and environmental safety throughout the world1,2. Aggregation pheromones have a crucial role in the transition of locusts from a solitary form to the devastating gregarious form and the formation of large-scale swarms3,4. However, none of the candidate compounds reported5–7 meet all the criteria for a locust aggregation pheromone. Here, using behavioural assays, electrophysiological recording, olfactory receptor characterization and field experiments, we demonstrate that 4-vinylanisole (4VA) (also known as 4-methoxystyrene) is an aggregation pheromone of the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). Both gregarious and solitary locusts are strongly attracted to 4VA, regardless of age and sex. Although it is emitted specifically by gregarious locusts, 4VA production can be triggered by aggregation of four to five solitary locusts. It elicits responses specifically from basiconic sensilla on locust antennae. We also identified OR35 as a specific olfactory receptor of 4VA. Knockout of OR35 using CRISPR–Cas9 markedly reduced the electrophysiological responses of the antennae and impaired 4VA behavioural attractiveness. Finally, field trapping experiments verified the attractiveness of 4VA to experimental and wild populations. These findings identify a locust aggregation pheromone and provide insights for the development of novel control strategies for locusts.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2610-4

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