Neural basis of a pollinator's buffet: olfactory specialization and learning in Manduca sexta

Science. 2013 Jan 11;339(6116):200-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1225483. Epub 2012 Dec 6.

Abstract

Pollinators exhibit a range of innate and learned behaviors that mediate interactions with flowers, but the olfactory bases of these responses in a naturalistic context remain poorly understood. The hawkmoth Manduca sexta is an important pollinator for many night-blooming flowers but can learn--through olfactory conditioning--to visit other nectar resources. Analysis of the flowers that are innately attractive to moths shows that the scents all have converged on a similar chemical profile that, in turn, is uniquely represented in the moth's antennal (olfactory) lobe. Flexibility in visitation to nonattractive flowers, however, is mediated by octopamine-associated modulation of antennal-lobe neurons during learning. Furthermore, this flexibility does not extinguish the innate preferences. Such processing of stimuli through two olfactory channels, one involving an innate bias and the other a learned association, allows the moths to exist within a dynamic floral environment while maintaining specialized associations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthropod Antennae / physiology
  • Brain / physiology
  • Electrophysiological Phenomena
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Flowers*
  • Learning
  • Male
  • Manduca / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Octopamine / pharmacology
  • Octopamine / physiology*
  • Odorants
  • Olfactory Pathways
  • Plant Nectar*
  • Pollination
  • Smell / physiology
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Substances

  • Plant Nectar
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Octopamine