Development of pest control methods using the decision-making mechanism of ants towards mutualists

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15534
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39040:Plant protection science-related
• Research Institution: National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Masayuki 国立研究開発法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 植物防疫研究部門, 主任研究員 (80837609)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 土着天敵 / アリ / アブラムシ / 相利共生 / 炭化水素 / 糖 / 学習 / 甘露

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to construct a pest control method that artificially elicits the function of ants as natural enemy by modifying their learning behavior toward their mutualists. Field surveys, behavioral experiments, and chemical analyses were conducted to elucidate the mutualist recognition and ant preference toward mutualistic aphids. Our results showed that workers of Tetramorium tsushimae ants distinguish between methylalkanes, which are included in cuticular hydrocarbons possessed by aphids that differ in the position of the methyl branch. Mutualistic aphid species tend to have more complex hydrocarbon compositions and higher methyl-alkane ratios in cuticular hydrocarbons. The results also suggest that ants prefer aphid species that produce honeydew containing trisaccharides.

Free Research Field

植物保護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

環境の持続可能性の観点などから、土着天敵などの在来資源を積極的に活用する生物的防除法の発展が期待されている。アリは多様な環境に生息するジェネラリスト捕食者であるため、土着天敵利用の有力候補だが、アブラムシなどの重要害虫と共生関係を構築してしまうという大きな欠点をもつ。本研究では、さまざまなアブラムシ種について、甘露に含まれる糖成分と匂い成分（体表炭化水素）を解析した。また、アリの炭化水素識別能を評価した。これらの結果は、アリの行動改変による害虫密度抑制技術を開発する上で重要な知見である。