Baculovirus infection affects caterpillar chemoperception

Baculoviruses are double-stranded DNA entomopathogenic viruses that infect predominantly insects of the order Lepidoptera. Research in last decade has started to disentangle mechanisms underlying insect-virus interaction, particularly focusing on effects baculovirus infection host's physiology. Among crucial physiological functions, olfaction a key role reproductive tasks, food source detection and enemy avoidance. In this work, we describe Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) induces expression changes some odorant receptors (ORs) - centrepiece insect's when infecting larvae from its natural host (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Different ORs up-regulated after SeMNPV infection, two them, SexiOR35 SexiOR23, were selected for further functional characterization by heterologous empty neurons Drosophila melanogaster coupled single-sensillum recordings. appears be broadly tuned receptor able recognise different chemical compounds. although correctly expressed neurons, did not display any significant response panel 58 stimuli. Behavioural experiments revealed infected exhibit altered olfactory-driven behaviour diet it is supplemented with plant volatiles linalool or estragole, main ligands, supporting hypothesis viral triggers perception through level specific ORs.