Identifying the signatures of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of screwworm and related flies towards developing taxonomic identification keys and enhanced baits

Objective: To isolate and identify the cuticular hydrocarbon signatures from multiple populations of screwworm and related calliphorids towards understanding the chemotaxonomy and develop sex-biased and unbiased attractive baits. Methods:We will employ two different yet complementary techniques to collect the CHCs. The collection method can greatly impact the compounds represented and their relative abundance, both of which are crucial to gain physiological, ecological, behavioral and evolutionary insights (Farine, Ferveur, & Everaerts, 2012; Go³êbiowski, Boguœ, Paszkiewicz, & Stepnowski, 2011). The most common methods currently used for hydrocarbon analysis are solvent extraction (usually using an organic solvent such as hexane) and solidphase microextraction (SPME). Solvent extraction has the advantage of sampling large numbers of insects at once to minimize variation and increase sample abundance. Additionally, solvent extraction can be used to collect compounds deposited on a surface by the insects (Everaerts, Farine, Cobb, & Ferveur, 2010; Go³êbiowski et al., 2011; Moneti, Dani, Pieraccini, & Turillazzi, 1997). On the other hand, SPME has the advantage of being able to sample either headspace compounds or surface compounds and can be completed with little or no damage to a live insect. Therefore, we will utilize both methods to perform the twofold task of whole profile investigation in conjunction with species comparisons and assess the appropriateness of each method for the given questions.