Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus influences the aggregation pheromones of western flower thrips

Abstract

Abstract The male-produced aggregation pheromones of the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande), are seductive to both female and male conspecifics. In order to increase virus transmission, the Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus(TSWV) has changed every aspect of its vector behaviour. Prior to this, our findings demonstrated that TSWV changed the mating habits of F. occidentalis. Here, we examined the impact of TSWV on female F. occidentalis pheromone production and sensitivity to male scents. On solid-phase microextraction fibers, headspace volatiles were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The findings revealed that there were three main constituents: (R)-lavandulyl acetate, neryl (S)-2-methylbutanoate, and two additional constituents, n-Hexadecane and n-Heneicosane. However, there were no appreciable differences in the amount of these chemicals produced in the volatiles between the susceptible and resistant strains with TSWV infectious status. Because of their pathogenic character, female predilection for male odours has diminished according to a Y-olfactometer study. The production of pheromones and the behaviour of viruliferous females toward male odours were both affected by TSWV infection, it can be concluded.