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Olfactometry responses of small hive beetle (Aethina tumida ) to hive materials
Small hive beetles (SHBs) are parasites of bee colonies and is one of the invasive pest species worldwide. In this study, we aimed to investigate a chemical responsible for the attractiveness of a hive to this pest. Based on the laboratory observation, we found the fermented pollen dough (honey bee food) was highly attractive to adult SHBs. Olfactometer bioassay showed the crude methanol extract of this material is attractive to both sexes (> 60%). However, the methanol extracts of fresh honey and pollen patty which we used as a food of SHB were not attractive to the pest. The crude methanol extract of fermented pollen dough was subjected to partitioning with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The n-hexane and chloroform fractions were attractive > 80% for both sex SHBs. On the other hand, ethyl acetate and n-butanol were repulsive >70% and >80%, respectively. The wandering larvae of the pest showed a reverse response for the solvent fractions observed in adults. HPLC and GC-MS analysis indicated the methanol extract of fermented pollen dough constitute butanoic acid (7.70%), neopentylamine (7.29%), (E)-9-octadecenoic acid ethyl ester (3.89%) and hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester. While these compounds were not found even in a trace level in the methanol extract of honey and pollen patty. Based on this findings these constituents of the fermented pollen dough were formed by the action of SHB and its larvae and we believe these volatile organic compounds are responsible for attractiveness to SHB as pollen dough undergoes attach by SHB and ferment. We are working on investigating attractiveness of each of these chemicals toward the pest. We recommend further work on these chemicals for their application to control this pest.
