Biochemical signal in the Tri-Tropic interaction between Anacardium Occidentae,Pseudotheraptus way and Oecophylla Longinoda

Abstract:

The relationship between Pseudotheraptus wayi (cashew pest), Anacardium occidentale (cashew plant), and Oecophylla longinoda (natural enemy) is a trophic interaction that is very important in cashew nut production. However, the chemical ecology of the interaction, specifically between the cashew plant and natural enemy as well as the pest and natural enemy was little investigated. Based on the hypothesis that both interactions were mediated by chemical signals, the objective of this study was to identify these signals and establish their relevance to the species in question. Headspace volatiles of the cashew plant, the pest, and the natural enemy was collected, analyzed in Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), confirmed, and quantified using authentic standards.