Host plant volatiles synergize responses of sex pheromone-specific olfactory receptor neurons in male Helicoverpa zea

摘要: Single-cell electrophysiological recordings were obtained from olfactory receptor neurons in antennal trichoid sensilla of male corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea. Spontaneous activity the neuron specific for major component (Z)-11-hexadecenal, conspecific female-emitted sex pheromone, was not affected by exposure to host plant volatiles. However, stimulations with binary mixtures a threshold dosage pheromone and increasing dosages either linalool or (Z)-3-hexenol significantly synergized pheromone-specific neuron's firing rates compared responses alone. Cross-adaptation studies confirmed that enhanced impulses originated pheromone-component-tuned neuron. Because volatiles do stimulate when presented alone, plus odor blend would be interpreted as containing more than it actually does processed pheromone-processing portion lobe.