Scholarly Commons

Preliminary Identification of Volatiles Produced by the Nursery Web Spider Pisaurina Mira

Volatiles produced by spiders are being characterized by Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) followed by analysis by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Spiders communicate through silk and associated pheromones. Some studies have identified different volatile chemicals produced by spiders or their silk that serve as sexual or conspecific attractants. Spider silk and volatiles may serve to repel or inhibit crop pests from feeding on plants. These observations have led to increased interest in identifying spider-produced volatiles that may mediate and manipulate insect pest behavior and serve as a safe, targeted, and effective alternative to traditional insecticides as part of an integrated pest management system. The nurseryweb spider Pisaurina mira is a common vegetation-inhabiting sit-and-wait predator that can be found in and adjacent to agricultural systems. These spiders were screened for volatile chemicals released by using SPME to absorb any volatiles produced. The absorbed product volatiles were then analyzed using GC/MS. Sub-adult males and females, adult males, and adult unmated and mated females were screened to identify and discriminate between male and female-specific sex pheromones and other species-wide odorants. Volatile odorants have been preliminarily identified and are likely to be homosalate, benzyl benzoate, and diisobutyl adipate derivatives. Evaluation of GC/MS chromatograms will continue to confirm the identity of the volatiles, and additional behavioral studies will be performed to identify the communication function, if any, of these compounds.