Behavioral analysis of learning and memory in Anastrepha fraterculus

Abstract

We evaluate the influence of prior exposure to artificial substrate for oviposition on learning and memory in the fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Some females were previously exposed to artificial fruits made of water, agar, and blackberry [Rubus spec. (Rosaceae)] or guava [Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae)] pulp for 48 and 72 h. We also studied adult flies exposed for 72 h to essential oil of lemongrass [Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf, Poaceae] and adult flies from larvae exposed to the oil. Control females were naive with respect to these experimental substrates. Prior experience with blackberry‐based artificial fruits resulted in an increase in the number of punctures and deposited eggs by A. fraterculus, and memory lasted for up to 72 h. On the other hand, fly behavior was independent of exposure to guava‐based substrate. Prior exposure of 1‐ or 15‐day‐old females to artificial substrate with lemongrass oil modified innate substrate selection behavior. The scent of lemongrass oil during the larval stage modified innate oviposition responses of adult A. fraterculus. The study shows that A. fraterculus females are able to learn and retain information through chemical stimuli released by both host (blackberry and guava) and non‐host (lemongrass) species, and they can use olfactory memory obtained during the larval stage to select oviposition sites.

New insights into diet breadth of polyphagous and oligophagous aphids on two Arabidopsis ecotypes

“…The aphids M. persicae and B. brassicae were raised on potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv Desirée) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea cv Marathon), respectively. Both aphid species were raised on their usual host plants, to avoid an interference during the nonchoice test with the insect memory effect such as the probing behavior experiment (Prado, 1997;Gregório et al, 2015). On the other hand, for the survival experiments, newborn nymphs (<24 h) were produced by isolating young apterous adults on an artificial diet (Febvay et al, 1988) 1 d before the experiment, to eliminate an eventual bias related to the raising on different plant species.…”

Olfactory learning and memory in Grapholita molesta

“…The ability to respond favorably to a learned stimulus has been observed both in immature stages of insects such as grasshoppers (Dukas & Bernays, 2000) and fruit flies (Scherer et al, 2003;Schipanski et al, 2008), as well as in adults of, e.g., parasitoid wasps (Dukas & Duan, 2000), bees (McCabe & Farina, 2010), and flies (Greg orio et al, 2015). Life experiences in the larval stage may also influence adult behavior as reported in Diptera (Barron & Corbet, 1999;Ray, 1999), Coleoptera (Rietdorf & Steidle, 2002), and Hymenoptera (Dupuy et al, 2006;Tognon et al, 2013Tognon et al, , 2014.…”

“…This behavior could help females to find a similar host after a positive experience, as well as males to achieve a mate. Prior experience with blackberry-based artificial diets also resulted in an increase in the number of punctures and deposited eggs by Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), and the memory lasted for up to 72 h (Greg orio et al, 2015). Landolt & Molina (1996) found that only one contact with the foliage of host plants or an oviposition event is enough to increase chemotactic attraction of T. ni females.…”

“…Landolt & Molina (1996) found that only one contact with the foliage of host plants or an oviposition event is enough to increase chemotactic attraction of T. ni females. Prior experience with blackberry-based artificial diets also resulted in an increase in the number of punctures and deposited eggs by Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), and the memory lasted for up to 72 h (Greg orio et al, 2015). In Drosophila, exposure to the odor of isoamyl acetate or benzaldehyde in days 2-5 of adulthood modifies the behavioral responses to odors and causes changes in the connectivity of particular clusters (Devaud et al, 2001).…”

Plasticidade da aprendizagem de Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) associada a voláteis de frutos e óleos essenciais

“…Também foi registrado a memória deste parasitoide exposto ao OEB. A essência de baunilha foi utilizada por este odor não fazer parte do contexto ecológico do parasitoide e serviu como "odor modelo" também utilizado por outros autores (Takasu & Lewis, 1996;Tognon et al, 2013;Gregório et al, 2015). O óleo de laranja foi escolhido por apresentar ação repelente para outros insetos inclusive D. longicaudata (bioensaios piloto), objetivando observar uma possível reversão de comportamento para este parasitoide Meirelles et al (2016).…”