Parasitism causes changes in caterpillar odours and associated bacterial communities with consequences for host-location by a hyperparasitoid

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011262
• Publication Date: 2023-03-22T17:37:37Z
• Authors: Mitchel E. Bourne; Gabriele Gloder; Berhane T. Weldeg...; Marijn Slingerland; Andrea Ceribelli; Sam Crauwels; Bart Lievens; Hans Jacquemyn; Marcel Dicke; Erik H. Poelman
• Keywords: Pieris brassicae

Microorganisms living in and on macroorganisms may produce microbial volatile compounds (mVOCs) that characterise organismal odours. The mVOCs might thereby provide a reliable cue to carnivorous enemies locating their host or prey. Parasitism by parasitoid wasps alter the microbiome of caterpillar host, affecting odours interactions with insects higher trophic levels such as hyperparasitoids. Hyperparasitoids parasitise larvae pupae parasitoids, which are often concealed inconspicuous. Odours parasitised caterpillars aid them locate but origin these its relationship unknown. Here, we analysed large cabbage white Pieris brassicae relation parasitism endoparasitoid Cotesia glomerata . We identified how bacterial presence is correlated tested attractiveness unparasitised hyperparasitoid Baryscapus galactopus manipulated external transient internal identify found C led production five characteristic products significantly affected caterpillar, were both have significant correlation preference was microbiome. Likely, changes body odour after driven resident caterpillars, where bacterium Wolbachia sp. only present parasitism. Micro-injection increased attraction compared untreated while no differences caterpillars. In conclusion, our results indicate host-parasite can affect multi-trophic olfaction through alterations