Behavioural and olfactory responses of drosophilid parasitoids to SWD-infested fruit volatiles

Abstract: We studied the behavioural and electrophysiological responses of drosophilid
parasitoids to volatiles from SWD-infested strawberries. Fruit volatiles were analysed by GCMS and evaluated by GC-EAD with antennae of Trichopria anastrephae (Hymenoptera:
Diapriidae) and Leptopilina boulardi (Hymenoptera: Figitidae). Behavioural responses were
studied for T. anastrephae by olfactometry bioassays. Both parasitoid species showed
consistent EAD responses to common fruit esters that were more prominent in volatiles from
SWD-infested fruit, in comparison with healthy fruit. In behavioural studies, T. anastrephae
females showed clear preference for fruit odours from SWD-infested strawberries over odours from healthy fruit. These results are the first report of GC-EAD responses of potential SWD parasitoids to host-associated chemical cues.