BioControl (2022) 67, 1-13

Hao Zhang, Jin-Yan Wang, Yi-Juan Chen, Evan Siemann, Xiang-Yun Ji, Jie-Xian Jiang and Nian-Feng Wan (2022)
Beta-ionone is a functional plant volatile that attracts the parasitic wasp, Microplitis pallidipes
BioControl 67 (1), 1-13
Abstract: The effects of plant volatiles on parasitoids are important with regards to the tri-trophic interactions among host plants, insect herbivores, and their natural enemies. However, the effects of plant volatiles on the important parasitoid (Microplitis pallidipes Szépligeti; Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of noctuids have not been determined at the molecular, laboratory, and outdoor scales with complementary approaches. The odorant binding protein 8 of M. pallidipes (MpOBP8) with an open reading frame of 459 bp was cloned and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli (Eubacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae). The purified protein MpOBP8 had a relatively high binding capacity to the plant volatile β-ionone (Ki value was 28.86 μM) in the fluorescence competitive binding assay. Meanwhile, Y-tube olfactometer experiments indicated that β-ionone selectively attracts the parasitic wasp as the ratio of M. pallidipes selecting β-ionone vs. control was 2:1. Likewise, field screenhouse experiments verified the above results as the ratio of M. pallidipes selecting β-ionone vs. control was close to 2:1. This study suggested that β-ionone is a plant volatile that attracts the parasitoid M. pallidipes, and MpOBP8 may play a key role in the discrimination of M. pallidipes in searching for hosts via β-ionone. In general our results suggest that β-ionone has the potential to enhance the biocontrol effect of parasitoids on insect herbivores.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Evan Siemann

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Microplitis pallidipes (parasitoid)