Preference for and resistance to a toxic sulfur volatile opens up a unique niche in Drosophila busckii.

The ability to tolerate otherwise toxic compounds can open up unique niches in nature. Among drosophilid flies, few examples of such adaptations are known and those which are known are typically from highly host-specific species. Here we show that the human commensal species Drosophila busckii uses dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) as a key mediator in its host selection.

Expression of V-ATPases in Olfactory Sensillum Support Cells.

V-ATPases are ubiquitous and evolutionarily conserved rotatory proton pumps, which are crucial for maintaining various biological functions. Previous investigations have shown that a V-ATPase is present in the support cells of moth trichoid sensilla and influences their olfactory sensory neuron performance. Generally, V-ATPases are thought to regulate the pH value within the sensillum lymph, and aid K homeostasis within the sensillum.

Shaping the environment - larvae construct their own niche.

In holometabolous insects, the choice of oviposition substrate by the adult needs to be coordinated with the developmental needs of the larva. female flies possess an enlarged serrated ovipositor, which has enabled them to conquer the ripening fruit as an oviposition niche. They insert their eggs through the skin of priced small fruits.

Gene expansion in the hawkmoth drives evolution of food-associated odorant receptors.

In insects, odorant receptors (ORs) are required for the detection of most olfactory cues. We investigated the function of a clade of four duplicated in the hawkmoth and found that these paralogs encode broadly tuned receptors with overlapping but distinct response spectra. Two paralogs, which arose after divergence from a related lineage, show high sensitivity to floral esters released by a nectar-rich plant frequently visited by .

Eurasian spruce bark beetle detects lanierone using a highly expressed specialist odorant receptor, present in several functional sensillum types.

Background: Insects detect odours using odorant receptors (ORs) expressed in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the antennae. Ecologically important odours are often detected by selective and abundant OSNs; hence, ORs with high antennal expression. However, little is known about the function of highly expressed ORs in beetles, since few ORs have been functionally characterized.