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Yeast-derived volatiles orchestrate an insect-yeast mutualism with oriental armyworm moths

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  • Baiwei Ma

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
    Northeast Normal University
    Northeast Normal University)

  • Hetan Chang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Mengbo Guo

    (Zhejiang A & F University)

  • Dong Ai

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Jiayu Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Run Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Xiaolan Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Bingzhong Ren

    (Northeast Normal University
    Northeast Normal University)

  • Bill S. Hansson

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology)

  • Guirong Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

Abstract

Interactions among insects, plants, and microorganisms are fundamental to ecosystem dynamics, with floral nectar and pollen serving as key resources for various organisms. Yeasts, such as Metschnikowia reukaufii, commonly found in nectar, influence nectarial attraction through volatile compounds (VOCs), yet the underlying biological mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that isoamyl alcohol, a prominent yeast VOC, attracts oriental armyworm moths (Mythimna separata) to pollen-rich, yeast-fermented nectar. In a series of electrophysiological and behavioral assays, we show that isoamyl alcohol activates a single class of highly specific olfactory sensory neurons expressing the olfactory receptor MsepOR8. In the moth antennal lobe, these neurons target the AM2 glomerulus, which responds to isoamyl alcohol. Genetic disruption of MsepOR8 leads to complete abolition of both physiological and behavioral responses to isoamyl alcohol, resulting in an impaired ability to locate nectar sources. Moreover, we show that isoamyl alcohol-induced foraging behavior fosters a mutualistic relationship between yeast and moths to some extent, enhancing yeast dispersal and increasing moth reproductive success. Our results unveil a highly specific mechanism by which a yeast-derived VOC facilitates insect-yeast mutualism, providing insights into insect-microbe interactions within pollination ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Baiwei Ma & Hetan Chang & Mengbo Guo & Dong Ai & Jiayu Wang & Run Chen & Xiaolan Liu & Bingzhong Ren & Bill S. Hansson & Guirong Wang, 2025. "Yeast-derived volatiles orchestrate an insect-yeast mutualism with oriental armyworm moths," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56354-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56354-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Allison F. Carey & Guirong Wang & Chih-Ying Su & Laurence J. Zwiebel & John R. Carlson, 2010. "Odorant reception in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae," Nature, Nature, vol. 464(7285), pages 66-71, March.
    2. Amina Kurtovic & Alexandre Widmer & Barry J. Dickson, 2007. "A single class of olfactory neurons mediates behavioural responses to a Drosophila sex pheromone," Nature, Nature, vol. 446(7135), pages 542-546, March.
    3. Arthur de Fouchier & William B. Walker & Nicolas Montagné & Claudia Steiner & Muhammad Binyameen & Fredrik Schlyter & Thomas Chertemps & Annick Maria & Marie-Christine François & Christelle Monsempes , 2017. "Functional evolution of Lepidoptera olfactory receptors revealed by deorphanization of a moth repertoire," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, August.
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