Olfactory Mechanisms in Host-Tree Colonisation by the Ambrosia beetle, Platypus cylindrus (Coleoptera: Platypodidae)

Cofinanciado por:
Project title | Olfactory Mechanisms in Host-Tree Colonisation by the Ambrosia beetle, Platypus cylindrus (Coleoptera: Platypodidae)
Project Code | POCTI/BSE/34419/2000
Main objective |

Region of intervention |

Beneficiary entity | Universidade de Évora(líder)

Approval date | 18-07-2001
Start date | 18-07-2001
Date of the conclusion | 01-09-2004

Total eligible cost |
European Union financial support |
National/regional public financial support |
Apoio financeiro atribuído à Universidade de Évora | 89783.62 €

Summary

Insect’s olfaction is important to find mating partners, sites for oviposition and food sources. The chemical cues are pheromones and plant odours both consisting of mixtures of chemicals. Platypus cylindrus is an ambrosia beetle that relies mainly on cork oak for reproduction in south Portugal. The adults penetrate the trunk and introduce fungi of the genus Ambrosia which grow on the walls of branched-tunnels, and serve as food for all stages of the insect. This is an important species in the ecosystem of the entire region, and their population levels have been related to the decline of the cork oak. The host-tree colonisation mechanisms underlying the reproduction of this species are unknown. However, the research team of this project found strong behavioural and electrophysiological evidence for the existence of a three-component aggregation pheromone released by males that attracts conspecifics to the host tree. The present project intends to continue these studies.


Goals, activities and expected/achieved results

Goals

1) Identificação química de putativas feromonas de agregação e cairomonas, integrando cromatografia de fase gasosa, espectrometria de massa e registos electrofisiológicos no sistema olfactivo periférico.

2) Avaliação do efeito atractivo de compostos sintéticos em túnel de vento.

Activities

  • Cinco (5) teses de licenciatura (Trabalho de Fim de Curso) em Biologia pela Universidade de Évora.
  • Um (1) estágio profissional co-financiado pelo Instituto de Emprego e Formação Profissional de Évora.