Data and code associated with: Identification of semiochemicals in the feces of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, that attract conspecific flies

Description

This dataset is a supplement to the article "Identification of semiochemicals in the feces of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, that attract conspecific flies". The study used laboratory two-choice behavioural bioassays to investigate the responses of stable flies to stimulus jars and cylindrical traps baited with stable fly fecal deposits, fecal extracts, and synthetic feces-derived candidate semiochemicals. Article Abstract: "Stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, are severe blood-feeding pests of cattle. As previously reported, fecal deposits of stable flies attract conspecific flies. Here we report the identification and behavioral testing of fly fecal semiochemicals. In laboratory two-choice bioassays, CO2-activated flies landed more often on sites baited with stable fly feces, or water extract thereof, than on unbaited control sites. Water extracts of feces attracted flies, whereas non-polar solvent extracts did not. Fecal deposits only of blood-fed, but not sugar-fed, flies elicited preferential responses, indicating that the feces-derived semiochemicals are metabolites of blood protein digestion. Analyses of freeze-dried, purified water extract – following derivatization of polar compounds – by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed 13 polar candidate semiochemicals. A synthetic blend of formamide, ethylamine, ammonium carbonate, urea, valine, 3-methylbutyric acid, lactic acid, ketoisocaproic acid, and oxalic acid attracted flies as effectively as water extract of feces, but not all constituents of this synthetic lure may be needed for fly attraction. Further research is needed to determine whether the synthetic blend attracts flies in field settings, and whether a less complex – but still highly effective – lure can be developed to augment the efficacy of current vision-based stable fly traps." This dataset contains: #---"Cage Bioassays"--- Data files and R script for the behavioral cage bioassay experiments. #---"Room Bioassays"--- Data files and R script for the behavioral room bioassay experiments. Additional file: "JoCE Figures v3.svg" - spread page containing all edited graphs and schematic diagrams (editable in Inkscape). Analyses were performed in Rstudio [R version 4.3.1 (2023-06-16 ucrt) "Beagle Scouts"; RStudio version 2023.12.1+402 "Ocean Storm" Release]

Institutions

• Simon Fraser University

  British Columbia, Burnaby

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