Abstract
The beetle Omorgus suberosus (F.) is a facultative predator of eggs of the olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz). Laboratory and field investigations were conducted in order to characterize volatile attractants of O. suberosus and to explore the potential for application of these volatiles in a selective mass trapping method. Headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) coupled to thermo-desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) analysis of the volatile constituents from beetles or turtle nests revealed 24 potential compounds. However, electroantennographic (EAG) measurements revealed antennal sensitivity only to indole, linoleic acid, trimethylamine, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide and ammonia. Behavioural tests showed that these compounds are highly attractive to O. suberosus. Field trapping experiments revealed that indole and ammonia were more attractive than the other volatile compounds and showed similar attractiveness to that produced by conventional baits (chicken feathers). The use of a combined bait of indole and NH3 would therefore be the most effective trap design. The data presented are the first to demonstrate effective massive capture of O. suberosus using an attractant-based trapping method. These findings have potential for the development of an efficient mass trapping method for control of this beetle as part of efforts towards conservation of L. olivacea at La Escobilla in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Highlights
The olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz) is listed as ‘vulnerable’ by IUCN [1] and classified as ‘endangered’ in the Mexican national red list (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010)
Give that a turtle generation (~20 years) corresponds at least to 20 generations of the beetle O. suberosus [13] it is feasible to predict an exponential increase of beetle population since it has been reported in the last fifteen years [10]
The aims of this study were to determine the composition of volatiles emitted by beetles and other elements from turtle nests using headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) in combination with thermal desorption (TD), coupled online to a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique
Summary
The olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz) is listed as ‘vulnerable’ by IUCN [1] and classified as ‘endangered’ in the Mexican national red list (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010). This sea turtle is a pantropical marine species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the oceans worldwide. The olive ridley turtle is known for its mass synchronous. Semiochemicals for the biological control of Omorgus suberosus the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP–Mexico). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
