Apple orchard volatiles composition at medfly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) hot spots

Abstract Plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play crucial roles in mediating plant-environment interactions, including pest attraction and deterrence, as well as attracting pollinators and deterring herbivores. The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) is a significant pest in fruit crops, requiring precise monitoring to optimize control measures. Our study investigates the differences in VOC profiles between identified “hot spot” areas within orchards where medfly populations tend to concentrate, and “cold spots,” where infestations are less frequent. Using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), we found that hot spots exhibited distinct VOC profiles, particularly an increase in compounds such as (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-2-hexanol, (E,E)-2,4-hexadienal, and (E)-2-hexenyl acetate, which are known medfly attractants. These findings suggest that variations in orchard VOC emissions may provide a means of identifying regions at higher risk of infestation, thereby allowing for targeted pest management strategies. This study offers insights into VOC-mediated pest attraction and highlights the potential for refining monitoring systems based on spatial chemical variations in orchards.