Codling moth, Cydia pomonella, antennal responses to Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Metschnikowia andauensis synthesised volatiles

Abstract: Insect-yeast interactions have been known for decades but are poorly understood. To investigate the codling moth (Cydia pomonella ) olfactory connection to yeasts, volatiles from two ascomycete yeasts, Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Metschnikowia andauensis, were analysed using gas chromatography combined with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). To be able to detect minute, but possibly behaviourally important responses to volatiles , multiple signals were averaged using a novel time synchronisation technique. Antennally active compounds were identified with GC-MS. Utilizing a wavelet-based peak separation and spectral enhancement algorithm, compounds in otherwise undetectable amounts could be identified. Results showed multiple responses to both yeasts indicating the ability of the moth to detect yeast synthesised volatile compounds.