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. 2021 Jul;47(7):628-641.
doi: 10.1007/s10886-021-01285-8. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

An Ozonolysis Based Method and Applications for the Non-Lethal Modification of Insect Cuticular Hydrocarbons

Benjamin Savage  1 , Zinan Wang  2 , Henry Chung  2 , Susan Masten  3 , Matthew Grieshop  2
Affiliations

An Ozonolysis Based Method and Applications for the Non-Lethal Modification of Insect Cuticular Hydrocarbons

Benjamin Savage et al. J Chem Ecol. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are important, multi-function components of the insect epicuticle. In Drosophila spp., CHCs provide protection from desiccation and serve as semiochemicals for both intra- and interspecific communication. We developed a non-lethal method for the modification of Drosophila CHCs profiles through the exposure of live insects to a high dose of ozone gas (~ 45,000 ppm). Drosophila suzukii that were treated with ozone showed a 1.63-3.10 fold reduction in unsaturated hydrocarbons with these CHCs shown to regenerate over 108 h. Changes in CHCs were correlated with significantly reduced desiccation resistance in both male and female D. suzukii at one h after ozone treatment. Interestingly, individuals treated with ozone showed increased desiccation resistance in comparison to controls at 108 h after ozone treatment. The methodology reported in this paper provides a novel approach to investigate the biosynthesis and functions of CHCs during the lifespan of an insect.

Keywords: Cuticular hydrocarbons; Desiccation resistance; Drosophila suzukii; Modification; Ozone.

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