In a heterogeneous and changing environment, oviposition site selection strongly affects the survival and fitness of the offspring.1,2 Similarly, competition between larvae affects their prospects.3 However, little is known about the involvement of pheromones in regulating these processes.4,5,6,7,8 Here, we show that mated females of Drosophila melanogaster prefer to lay eggs on substrates containing extracts of conspecific larvae. After analyzing these extracts chemically, we test each compound in an oviposition assay and find that mated females display a dose-dependent preference to lay eggs on substrates spiked with (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid ethyl ester (OE). This egg-laying preference relies on gustatory receptor Gr32a and tarsal sensory neurons expressing this receptor. The concentration of OE also regulates larval place choice in a dose-dependent manner. Physiologically, OE activates female tarsal Gr32a+ neurons. In conclusion, our results reveal a cross-generation communication strategy essential for oviposition site selection and regulation of larval density.

中文翻译：

在异质和不断变化的环境中，产卵地点的选择强烈影响后代的生存和适应性。1 , 2同样，幼虫之间的竞争也会影响它们的前景。3然而，人们对信息素参与调节这些过程知之甚少。4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8在这里，我们展示了Drosophila melanogaster的交配雌性更喜欢在含有同种幼虫提取物的基质上产卵。在对这些提取物进行化学分析后，我们在产卵试验中测试了每种化合物，发现交配的雌性表现出剂量依赖性偏好，倾向于在掺有 (Z)-9-十八碳烯酸乙酯 (OE) 的底物上产卵。这种产卵偏好依赖于味觉受体 Gr32a 和表达该受体的跗骨感觉神经元。OE 的浓度还以剂量依赖的方式调节幼虫的位置选择。在生理学上，OE 激活雌性跗骨 Gr32a +神经元。总之，我们的结果揭示了对产卵地点选择和幼虫密度调节至关重要的跨代交流策略。