Pheromone communication in the model organism Nasonia vitripennis

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The jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a model organism of parasitic wasp biology. Pheromones are involved at different levels of sexual communication in this species. Males produce in the rectum a mixture of (4R,5R)- and (4/?,5S)-5-hydroxy-4- decanolides (HDL) and 4-methylquinazoline which is highly attractive for virgin females. After mating, however, females do no longer respond to the male odour. The present grant proposal will investigate the mechanism and behavioural context of pheromone release as well as the putative function of HDL as a mate assessment pheromone enabling precopulatory female mate choice. Furthermore, the mechanisms involved in the olfactory switch of mated females will be studied. During courtship, N. vitripennis males release another pheromone from an oral gland eliciting female receptivity. The chemicals responsible for this phenomenon are to be identified. Pheromone communication of parasitic Hymenoptera is a hitherto neglected topic of chemoecological research. By complementing our knowledge of the complex chemical communication in the Nasonia model, the present grant proposal Is likely to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the role of sex pheromones in the whole taxon.