Floral Volatile Compounds of Passiflora edulis Sims and Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz and Their Detection by Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) nigrocincta Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

Simple Summary We identified a series of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the flowers of Passiflora edulis Sims (Passifloraceae) and Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz (Fabaceae), noting marked differences in their compositions. The compounds 1,4-dimethoxybenzene and (E)-β-ocimene were the most abundant in P. edulis and P. pyramidalis, respectively. Furthermore, we investigated the responses of the generalist bee Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) nigrocincta Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to both compounds. The study revealed that both compounds elicit electroantennographic responses in X. nigrocincta, providing a basis for elucidating the behavior of this pollinator and contributing to strategies aimed at enhancing pollination in these and other species.