Fig. 1

PxylOR16 is expressed in all the larval and adult stages of Plutella xylostella and is specifically tuned to heptanal. A Tissue expression patterns of P. xylostella OR genes. The cDNA templates for PCR analyses were from larval heads (first, second, third female, third male, fourth female, and fourth male instar larvae) and adult antennae (male adults: MA, female adults: FA). W water control. Among the 54 P. xylostella ORs, only PxylOR16 and PxylOR27 were detected in all larval stages and in adults. Actin was used for cDNA quality control. B Inward current responses of PxylOR16/PxylOrco Xenopus oocytes to plant volatile compounds (10^–4 M). C No ligand was identified for PxylOR27/PxylOrco. D Inward current responses of PxylOR16/PxylOrco Xenopus oocytes stimulated with a range of heptanal concentrations. E Response profile of PxylOR16/PxylOrco Xenopus oocytes to a panel of 71 odorants (n = 6). F Dose–response curve of PxylOR16/PxylOrco Xenopus oocyte responses to heptanal. Heptanal EC₅₀ = 1.757 × 10^–5 M. Error bars indicate SEM (n = 6)