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Data from: The scent of offspring: chemical profiles of larvae change during development and affect parental behavior in a burying beetle

Sahm, Jacqueline1; Brobeil, Beatrice1; Grubmüller, Eric1; Conrad, Taina1; Schott, Matthias1; Stökl, Johannes1; Steiger, Sandra1

Published Jul 18, 2024 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2rbnzs7xn

Data files

Jul 18, 2024 version files 155.97 KB

Abstract

Chemical cues and signals, especially in insects, play a pivotal role in mediating interactions between individuals. Past studies have largely focused on adult semiochemicals and have neglected those of juvenile stages. Especially in the context of parental care, larval odor might have a profound impact on parenting behavior, guiding parents in how much resources they should allocate to the different developmental stages. However, whether ontogenetic changes occur in subsocial species and whether larval-emitted scents influence parent-offspring interactions is largely unknown. Using three different sampling techniques, we analyzed the cuticular and VOC profile of the three larval instars of the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, which is known for its elaborate parental care. We found distinct differences in the cuticular and VOC profiles across the three larval stages. Second instar larvae, which receive more frequent feedings from parents than the other larval stages, released greater amounts of acetophenone, methyl geranate, and octanoic acid isopropyl ester than the first and third instar. Additionally, using a newly developed bioassay with automated video tracking, we found that adding the odor of second instar larvae to first instar larvae increased the number of maternal feeding trips. Our results suggest that the odor produced by larvae plays an important role in mediating parent-offspring interactions. Given these findings, burying beetles might emerge as a promising candidate for identifying a potential begging pheromone.