LE3 .A278 2019

2019

Hillier, Kirk

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive species of fruit pest in much of the world. Females have a errated ovipositor that allows them to deposit their eggs beneath the skin of ripe and ripening fruit such as grapes, raspberries, and blueberries. This is problematic because, as D. suzukii larvae develop, they feed on the flesh of these fruits making them unmarketable for sale and causing significant economic losses worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) produced by Streptomyces bacteria for their potential in controlling D. suzukii. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize the MVOC profiles of nine Streptomyces bacteria. Additionally, gas chromatography-electroantennography and two-choice behavioural bioassays were used to determine the physiological and behavioural effects that these MVOCs had on D. suzukii. Analysis of the volatile compounds released from preparations of nine Streptomyces species cultured in soy flour mannitol broth allowed for their MVOC profiles to be described. Additionally, it was found that the preparations of two of these Streptomyces species–S. avermitilis and S. coelicolorA3(2)–repelled D. suzukii whereas preparations from the other seven species either attracted D. suzukii or had no significant effect. This information will allow for future studies to focus on the Streptomyces bacteria that produced MVOCs that repelled D. suzukii when developing a new approach to managing D. suzukii damage.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3312