Chemosensory control of pollen ingestion in the hoverfly Eristalis tenax by labellar taste hairs

Abstract

The labellar gustatory system of the dronefly Eristalis tenax L. (Syrphidae; Diptera) that enables the fly to discriminate between pollen and nectar is investigated, and the triggering of pollen ingestion is examined. In behavioural preference tests, exhaustively extracted pollen of the sunflower Helianthus annuus is consumed in smaller amounts than untreated pollen, indicating that water-soluble substances are important for acceptance. Dry pollen is preferred over moist pollen in which the grains stick together, suggesting that mechanical properties of the pollen also play a role in its sensory assessment. Electrophysiological studies of the labellar taste hairs reveal that aqueous extracts of pollen (2% w/v) stimulate the salt receptor cell, but not the sugar receptor cell. The response of the water receptor cell remains the same as to pure water (or standard electrolyte, 10 mmol · l⁻¹ KCl). Of the 20 amino acids tested, the salt cell is sensitive only to proline in a submillimolar range. Behavioural experiments support the electrophysiological findings. When KCl is applied at concentrations eliciting salt-cell spike frequencies equal to those produced by pollen extract (which is often accepted), the water receptor cell is inhibited and a pronounced rejection behaviour occurs. This rejection of concentrated salt solution in Eristalis is therefore mainly mediated by the inhibition of the water cell.