Single cell responses of the Douglas-fir beetle,Dendroctonus pseudotsugae hopkins (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), to pheromones and host odors

Abstract

Olfactory perception of pheromones and host odors byDendroctonus pseudotsugae males and females was investigated through single cell recordings. Responses of 71 cells (35 cells in males; 36 cells in females) were recorded to 1 μg of 10 pheromones and three host terpenes. The olfactory cells were classified into four types based on sensitivity and specificity for the various odors: (1) 3,2-MCHone (3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone) cells; (2) 3,2-MCHol (3-methyl-2-cyclohexenol) cells; (3) frontalin cells; and (4) synergist cells. 3,2-MCHone and 3,2-MCHol cells in both males and females were the most sensitive and specific of all cells recorded with a threshold ca. 0.001-0.01 μg on filter paper. Frontalin cells were less specialized than the two aforementioned cell types and had a somewhat higher threshold of ca. 0.01 μg. A larger percentage of these three cell types were recorded in males than in females. The synergist cells had the highest threshold of all recorded cell types and were the least specific. Each of these cells was most responsive to eithercis-verbenol,trans-verbenol, 1,2-MCHol, verbenone, α-pinene, or limonene; however, responses could be elicited by stimulation with other pheromones or host terpenes at higher dosages. Instances of inhibition of nerve impulse activity from spontaneously active cells were observed during 3,2-MCHol and 3,2-MCHone stimulation, thus suggesting multifunctional effects for these compounds. The results help explain the role of chemicals in host selection, aggregation, and colonization behavior of the beetle and further elucidate hypotheses put forth in an earlier electroantennogram study.