Drosophila melanogaster Chemosensory Pathways as Potential Targets to Curb the Insect Menace

Abstract

From a unicellular bacterium to a more complex human, smell and taste form an integral part of the basic sensory system. In fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster, the behavioral responses to odorants and tastants are simple, though quite sensitive, and robust. They explain the organization and elementary functioning of the chemosensory system. Molecular and functional analyses of the receptors and other critical molecules involved in olfaction and gustation are not yet completely understood. Hence, a better understanding of chemosensory cue-dependent fruit flies, playing a major role in deciphering the host-seeking behavior of pathogen transmitting insect vectors (mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks) and crop pests (Drosophila suzukii, Queensland fruit fly), is needed. Using D. melanogaster as a model organism, the knowledge gained may be implemented to design new means of controlling insects as well as in analyzing current batches of insect and pest repellents. In this review, the complete mechanisms of olfactory and gustatory perception, along with their implementation in controlling the global threat of disease-transmitting insect vectors and crop-damaging pests, are explained in fruit flies.

Validation of an Optogenetic Approach to the Study of Olfactory Behavior in the T-Maze of Drosophila melanogaster Adults

“…This approach could also be valuable for investigating olfactory behavior to repellents or attractants that can be useful as control strategies for insects that cause human vector-borne diseases or affect livestock or crops. In fact, Drosophila has been used to study the olfactory behavior of some repellents that could be used to control harmful insects [ 34 ]. For some years now, progress has been made in the study of the olfactory system of several insect vectors of human diseases (see for example [ 35 ]).…”

Autofluorescent Biomolecules in Diptera: From Structure to Metabolism and Behavior

“…The interpretation of AF-based data in the characterization of the material composing specific structures, besides being relevant to study mechanical functions as mentioned above, is increasingly deserving attention to describe sensory processes, which are target of intensive research across Diptera [55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64]. Sensory processes take place at the interface between insects and their environment.…”

Male cuticular pheromones stimulate removal of the mating plug and promote re-mating through pC1 neurons inDrosophilafemales

“…The fruit fly’s chemo-sensory organs, present in various body parts, detect these pheromones (24, 25). Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in sensilla of the antenna and maxillary palps pick up long-range volatile pheromones like cVA, while short-range pheromones like 7-T are sensed by neurons on the fore-legs and labellum (16, 17, 24).…”

“…On the other hand, 7,11-heptacosadiene (7,, a related female-specific pheromone, functions as an aphrodisiac to males, triggering courtship behavior and involving species recognition (22,23). The fruit fly's chemo-sensory organs, located in various parts of the body, detect these pheromones (24,25). Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the sensilla of the antennae and maxillary palp are responsible for the detection of long-range volatile pheromones like cVA, while short-range pheromones like 7-T are sensed by neurons on the fore-legs and labellum (16,17,24).…”