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Article

Chemical Insect Attractants Produced by Flowers of Impatiens spp. (Balsaminaceae) and List of Floral Visitors

by
Anna Jakubska-Busse
1,*,
Izabela Czeluśniak
2,
Marek Hojniak
2,
Monika Myśliwy
3 and
Kamil Najberek
4
1
University of Wroclaw, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Botany, Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wroclaw, Poland
2
University of Wroclaw, Faculty of Chemistry, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
3
University of Szczecin, Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Adama Mickiewicza 16, 70-383 Szczecin, Poland
4
Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(24), 17259; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417259
Submission received: 5 November 2023 / Revised: 4 December 2023 / Accepted: 5 December 2023 / Published: 8 December 2023
(This article belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)
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Abstract

:
The study of the semiochemicals produced by the flowers of Impatiens spp. is an important topic that may explain the reason for the rapid expansion of some species in this genus. Impatiens L. belongs to the Balsaminaceae family, which includes several species considered to be invasive plants in Europe. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemistry of four naturally occurring plant species in Poland, including three invasive alien taxa (Impatiens parviflora, I. glandulifera, and I. capensis) and one native species (I. noli-tangere). Gas chromatographic techniques were used to assess phytochemical profiles of chemical attractant cues in their pollination biology. We detected differences in the scent profiles of the investigated species. All the examined Impatiens species produce various alcohols, i.e., heptacosanol, octacosanol, aldehydes (e.g., octadecanal, eicosanal, etc.), and fatty acids, as well as long-chain hydrocarbons such as dodecane, tricosane, petacosane, hexacosane, and farnesene. Impatiens parviflora, I. glandulifera, and I. capensis produce geraniol and linalool, which attract members of the Apidae family, including bumblebees and honeybees. Impatiens parviflora also produces linalool-derived monoterpenes (linalool oxide and 8-hydroxylinalool), which are a strong attractant for Diptera; this may clarify why the species is mainly visited and pollinated by syrphid flies. A list of insect visitors to the Impatiens species under study can be found in the article.

1. Introduction

The genus Impatiens and one species of the Hydrocera are classified to the Balsaminaceae family. The number of species within the genus depends on the author of the data, but the genus now includes more than 1000 species of flowering plants [1,2,3]. The family holds a special place among vascular plants, which are the most commonly studied group of alien species [4]. In Europe, there are four established alien species of the genus Impatiens: I. capensis, I. balfourii, I. glandulifera, and I. parviflora, and a single native species, I. noli-tangere [5]. The two former species are only invasive in specific regions of a few countries [6,7] whereas I. glandulifera and I. parviflora are prevalent pan-European species. Impatiens glandulifera has adverse effects on biological diversity, such as altering habitat structure and negatively impacting terrestrial gastropods [8]. The influence of I. glandulifera on vegetation depends on the initial species diversity of the patches. In species-rich plant communities, such as fresh meadows, a significant negative impact on plant species diversity was observed [9]. In species-poor patches, such as riparian tall herb vegetation, this impact is weak or even absent [10]. In contrast, the negative impact of I. parviflora on native flora and fauna is questioned; although the species penetrates new types of communities, it rarely becomes dominant [11]. At the same time, there are assumptions that it is a highly invasive species that may successfully compete with its native counterpart, I. noli-tangere [12]. In addition, I. glandulifera and I. parviflora may negatively impact crop pollination, because they may lure and co-opt pollinators (mainly bumblebees and hoverflies) that used to visit crop flowers (e.g., tomatoes and strawberries [13,14]). This can occur when I. glandulifera and I. parviflora occur in close proximity to crops, share the same pollinators, and have overlapping flowering periods. The impact of I. capensis on native plant species and communities is thought to be weaker compared to other non-native Impatiens species [15]. However, its presence in the secondary range poses ecological challenges, primarily arising from its high dispersion potential and its capacity to colonize habitats of significant conservation value [16]. Skálová et al. [17] suggest that it may outcompete the native I. noli-tangere, but to date, the species rarely co-occur. Furthermore, competition with native plants for pollinating insects is likely [18].
Nevertheless, it is still not clear which factors determine the invasive species’ success in new areas. To address this issue, researchers are conducting studies comparing invasive species with non-invasive ones. For example, it was demonstrated that I. balfourii and I. glandulifera exhibit similar reproductive, photosynthetic, and growth abilities, but only the latter species is widespread in Europe [19]. On the other hand, I. glandulifera seeds have a higher floating ability than those of I. balfourii [20]; in addition, I. glandulifera seeds are also less susceptible to attack by primary pathogens, resulting in a better seed performance of the invasive species [21]. Therefore, it is reasonable to consider that the success of Impatiens species is strongly associated with their seed traits. It should be stressed that the four alien Impatiens species are annual plants that disperse through seeds. At the same time, the successful development of Impatiens seeds is usually associated with pollinators visiting their flowers. The successful invasion of Impatiens therefore also depends on their floral traits, which enable them to attract insects. Plants use olfactory, visual, gustatory, tactile, and thermal stimuli signals, either individually or in combination [22,23]. The function of these signals is to ‘inform’ insects of the presence of nutritious rewards in flowers.
To date, the floral signals of European Impatiens species have been poorly investigated. The association between visitors and flower hue/area was tested for I. glandulifera and I. parviflora [13,24]. The floral reward offered by I. glandulifera (nectar volume and pollen protein content) was assessed under temperature and drought stress [25,26]. Furthermore, Wilson [27] explored the matching between bee pollinators and the flower morphology of I. capensis, while Bell et al. [28] used the floral gender of orange touch-me-nots as a cue.
In this study, we extended our understanding of floral cues in Impatiens species by investigating floral attractants that are strongly associated with successful insect attraction. This trait could play a crucial role in the success of the annual Impatiens species but has been poorly investigated to date. It is known that one of the key substances in the adaptation of plants to colonize new territories is the production of semiochemicals that influence the behavior of visiting and/or pollinating animals [29,30]. Repellent and attractant semiochemicals are substances emitted by plants, animals, and other organisms for chemically mediated communication [31]. These compounds are classified in terms of the responses they elicit from insects, as attractants, repellents, arrestants, deterrents, or stimulants [32,33]. Additionally, considering the communication level, semiochemicals are divided into allelochemicals and pheromones [34]. Allelochemicals are essential for interspecific communication, while pheromones are used for intraspecific communication [35]. The insect-attracting substances produced by plants may also include a number of compounds that may be associated with the waxes that coat the flowers, namely fatty alcohols, fatty acids, esters, and long-chain hydrocarbons [36]. These can also attract visiting insects, but only in close contact [37].
Plants produce allelochemicals to defend against attacks from their pests because emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) allows them to repel pests [38]. Additionally, they can attract natural enemies of those pests before or during their attack [38]. However, the production of substances that attract different groups of pollinators and repel phytophagous insects is of the greatest importance for the evolution and expansion of plants. Some invasive alien plants, such as Fallopia baldschuanica (Polygonaceae), can produce strong attractants and repellents that, in addition to rapid growth, ensure their evolutionary success [39].
I. capensis, and I. glandulifera secrete attractant semiochemicals to attract various pollinator groups, primarily bumblebees and bees (e.g., Bombus pascuorum and Apis mellifera [24,40,41]), which significantly increase their reproductive success. Although the success of I. parviflora is probably driven by its ability to self-pollinate autonomously [42], the species also benefits from its attractiveness to hoverflies (e.g., Episyrphus balteatus; [13,43]). Interestingly, alien I. parviflora and native I. noli-tangere share common pollinators (hoverflies, e.g., E. balteatus; [44]) and overlapping flowering periods. Although the latter species is pollinated mainly by long-tongue bumblebees (e.g., B. hortorum and B. lapidarius; [44]), it cannot be excluded that the potential attraction of hoverflies by I. parviflora may decrease the pollination rate of co-occurring native species. Although I. noli-tangere, like I. capensis, possesses the ability to produce cleistogamous flowers, which are closed and capable of self-pollination without the participation of external pollinators, the reproductive efficiency of such flowers is significantly lower. Typically, only 1-2(5) seeds form in the resulting fruits, whereas in capsules derived from open chasmogamous flowers, up to 9 seeds can develop [44].
The main aim of our work was to test (1) whether the Impatiens species studied differ in terms of the semiochemicals produced; (2) whether the expansion of I. parviflora and I. glandulifera observed in Europe may also be due to the production of more insect chemical attractants by these species; and (3) whether the observed floral morphological diversity in distinct Impatiens species correspond to variations in the semiochemicals they produce.
The presented results contribute new information about the biology of flowers of the Impatiens species established in Europe and may provide insights into the interactions between the species and pollinators that visit their flowers.

2. Results

2.1. GC-MS Analysis

To identify the organic compounds present in the nectars of four tested Impatiens species, dichloromethane extracts from the flowers containing nectar were analysed by GC/MS chromatography (Table 1). As expected, the composition of the extracts of all tested species differed from each other. The I. parviflora, I. glandulifera, and I. capensis extracts contain more chemical compounds than I. noli-tangere extracts.
In the samples of I. parviflora floral extracts, 44 chemical compounds were identified (Table 1). The oxygen-containing compounds were dominated by aliphatic alcohols (e.g., linalool, heptacosanol, docosanol, etc.) and aldehydes (e.g., pelargonaldehyde, docosanal, etc.). In addition to linalool, two of its derivatives, linalool oxide and 8-hydroxylinalool, were also present in the samples. Among the aromatic compounds, phenylmethanol (benzyl alcohol) and ethyl-4-etoxybenzoate were found. The extracts also contained five saturated fatty acids (lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, and arachic) and one unsaturated fatty acid—linoleic acid. The presence of aliphatic hydrocarbons, both linear and branched, was also detected in I. parviflora extracts.
A comparable hydrocarbon composition was characterized in samples of I. glandulifera flower extracts (Table 1). In addition to pentacos-1-ene, which is present in both species, hexacos-1-ene was also identified in I. glandulifera flower extracts. Similar to I. parviflora, the oxygen-containing compounds were dominated by aliphatic components. However, in addition to phenylmethanol, phenylethanol and conipheryl alcohol (Figure 1a) were also detected. The composition of fatty acids also included capric acid and ethyl docosanoate.
The most oxygen-containing compounds were detected in I. capensis flower extracts (Table 1). Most of these were also present in the I. parviflora and I. glandulifera species. In addition, heptadecan-2-one, 1-eicosanol, and two aldehydes; 1-heptadecanal and 1-hexacosanal, were identified in the extracts of I. capensis flowers. The composition of fatty acids and long-chain carbohydrates was similar to that of the above-mentioned species.
Although the content of the compounds identified in the extracts of I. noli-tangere was lower, many compounds known as attractants for pollinators, such as nonanal, phenylethanol, and nonan-2-one, were detected (Table 1). In addition, three fatty acids (palmitic, linolenic, and arachic), various branched and linear-chain hydrocarbons (e.g., hexadecane, octadecane, tricosane, and nonacosane) were common among the extracts of all tested species. These also included unsaturated hydrocarbons such as farnesene, pentacos-1-ene, heptacos-1-ene, etc.
In the extracts of all investigated Impatiens species, two flavonoids, 1,4-naphtalenedione 2-hydroxy and 1,4-naphtalenedione 2-metoxy, were detected (Figure 1b). However, both naphthoquinone derivatives were recorded only in the cases of I. glandulifera and I. noli-tangere.

2.2. Flower Visitors

This study showed that the visiting insects observed on the flowers of the four Impatiens species differ in their food preferences. We observed both hoverflies, insects that feed on pollen, and those insects that feed on the nectar produced in the flower spur, mainly honeybee and bumblebee species. Although the populations of the different Impatiens species studied were located in different parts of Poland, similar groups of insects were observed visiting the flowers (Table 2).
Himalayan balsam (I. glandulifera) was most frequently visited by hymenopterans, which we observed as flower visitors (Figure 2d–f, Table 2). Flowers of this species mainly attracted both bees and bumblebees. We often recorded holes in the spur, indicating feeding by nectar thieves (most likely bumblebees). The hoverflies Episyrphus balteatus and Eupeodes corollae (Diptera, Syrphidae), which feed on pollen and nectar, were also frequent visitors to this invasive plant. Occasionally we also observed another hoverfly Helophilus trivittatus, and the hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum, as well as the common wasp Vespula vulgaris, and seven-spotted ladybug Coccinella septempunctata visiting flowers.
Orange balsam (I. capensis) was visited by Hymenoptera, representatives of Apoidea, i.e., Bombus species (Figure 2g) and honeybee Apis mellifera (Figure 2h), as well as (though rarely) Halictid species. The flowers of this species are also attractive to representatives of the syrphid fly E. balteatus and V. vulgaris (Table 2).
The flowers of I. noli-tangere were visited by Hymenoptera from the genera Bombus, Apis, Lasioglossum sp. and flies (Diptera), representatives of the Muscidae and Syrphidae families (Table 2). It should be noted, however, that these visits were not as frequent as visits to I. glandulifera or I. capensis.
Surprisingly, we observed mainly Syrphidae feeding on I. parviflora flowers in all populations studied (Figure 2a,b and Table 2). The common carder bee B. pascuorum and adult ladybirds (C. septempunctata) were occasionally observed feeding on the flowers of this species.

3. Discussion

It is well known that the flowers of the Impatiens have enormous diversity and a variety of pollinators; the species of flower-visiting insects observed depend on the different climatic regions in which the plants grow [45]. According to the literature, Impatiens species are generally pollinated by bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies [46,47,48,49]. In central Europe, the main pollinators of this genus are bees (Apidae) and flies (Diptera) [44], which we often observed.
The different Impatiens species we studied were visited by essentially the same groups of potential pollinators, i.e., Apis mellifera and Bombus spp. Surprisingly, I. parviflora was unique in this regard, as we recorded mainly syrphid flies visiting its flowers, while bumblebees were recorded rarely. It could be a result of the small size of the flowers produced by this alien species, which is not preferred by bumblebees. This may also be due to the fact that I. parviflora grows in habitats where bumblebee species are rare foragers and/or this invasive plant does not produce enough nectar to attract the interest of bumblebees.
Until now, it was not clear how the studied Impatiens species attract pollinating insects using chemical compounds. Chemical attractants of Impatiens species have not been studied to date, and, consequently, their potential role in the pollination of Impatience spp. remains unknown.
The species studied differ in the color and size of their flowers, which may be important in pollination biology. Experimental evidence has previously confirmed that I. glandulifera attracts a significantly higher number of pollinators compared to native plants, impacting the reproductive success of the indigenous flora [50]. Certainly, I. glandulifera produces the largest flowers of the species studied and is most frequently visited by bumblebees, which was confirmed by our observations (Figure 2e,f). It should be noted that this species has flowers with the most intense color among those examined. Indeed, two quinone pigments, lawsone and 1,4-naphtalenedione 2-metoxy, were found in the samples of I. glandulifera floral extract. Furthermore, Lobstein et al. [51] found that the naphthoquinone content of the flowering aerial part of I. glandulifera was significantly higher than the content in three other species. The two naphthoquinones have been known to possess anti-fungal properties [52]. Interestingly, the Helophilus trivittatus we identified as a visitor to I. glandulifera is a pollen- and nectar-feeding fly that is known to visit mainly yellow and purple flowers [53].
As expected, all the studied species produced strong chemical attractants that are likely to have a role in attracting pollinators. Among the identified compounds, several are known from the literature to act as strong lures for certain groups of insects.
The tested species produce fatty acids such as palmitic, linoleic, stearic, and eicosanoic (arachic) acids, compounds that are attractants for many groups of insects, both Diptera and Hymenoptera, including B. terrestris [54,55]. Palmitic, lauric, and stearic acids have also been found to be strong attractants for the honeybee A. mellifera [56,57].
They also produce long-chain hydrocarbons, such as dodecane, tricosane, pentacosane, and hexacosane, which are known in the literature to attract bees (Andrena sp.) and bumblebees [58,59]. Interestingly, compounds such as tricosane, pentacosane, hexacosane, octacosane, nonacosane and hentriacontane are also attractants of wasps [55], which, in our study, were seen to have visited I. glandulifera and I. capensis.
Oxygen-containing compounds found in the samples of investigated species, such as nonane-2-one and aldehydes: octadecanal, eicosanal, docosanal, and tetracosanal, act as strong lures for many groups of insects including Hymenoptera, Andrenidae [60] and Apidae [57], and mainly Bombus spp. [60]. However, the alcohols, pentacosanol, heptacosanol, and octacosanol, are recognized as an attractant only for Hymenoptera, Apidae, and the tribe Meliponini, which includes, for example, the African stingless bee (Hypotrigona species) [55,61].
Surprisingly, the monoterpene alcohols, linalool and geraniol, were only detected in invasive Impatiens species such as I. parviflora, I. glandulifera, and I. capensis. In the studied population of native I. noli-tangere, these compounds were not found.
Linalool is important in nature as a key compound in the complex pollination biology of various plant species to ensure reproduction [62]. This monoterpene has a specific olfactory description: “light and refreshing, floral-woody, with a faint citrus note” [63] and is produced by many plant species belonging to different botanical families, including Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, and Verbenaceae [64]. It is known to attract a wide range of pollinators (e.g., bees and butterflies), herbivores, and parasitoids [64]. Due to its properties, linalool is also used as a natural repellent against various insects that damage crops [62]. Data from the literature confirm the toxicity of this monoterpene alcohol in a dose-dependent manner against the beetles Tribolium castaneum and Oryzaephilus surinamensis [65].
Geraniol, like linalool, is a strong bee attractant [66]. This unsaturated aliphatic alcohol usually appears as a clear liquid with a sweet, floral odor. It is a major constituent of the essential oil of damask rose and has also been found in the essential oils of tea, lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), lavender, plum, and grape [67]. Honeybee olfactory glands produce geraniol to mark nectar-bearing flowers and locate hive entrances [68] to attract flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) and braconid wasps [69].
The presence of linalool and geraniol along with the above-mentioned compounds in the scent profile may explain the frequent visits of honeybees to flowers that we observed (Figure 2d,h). The emissions of these substances could reflect an adaptation of I. glandulifera facilitating its expansion, as they are documented as effective attractants for pollinators.
In addition, samples of I. glandulifera floral extract contained the conipheryl alcohol, commonly known as an attractant not only for queens of A. mellifera [70] but also for Bactrocera fruit flies [55,71]. Thus, the presence of this alcohol in the nectar might suggest more frequent visits of the flies to the flowers of this species.
Among the species studied, the flowers of I. parviflora were most frequently visited by members of the Syrphidae of the Diptera. This may be due to the small size of the flowers produced, which are too small for most bumblebee species to land on. On the other hand, we believe that it is also due to the fact that this species produces linalool-related monoterpenes (linalool oxide and 8-hydroxylinalool), which, together with linalool, are known to attract Diptera [72,73,74].
It should also be added that farnesene, which occurs in other species, was found in samples of this species and is known in the literature to be a strong attractant for members of Diptera. This may also explain why I. parviflora was frequently visited by hoverflies. Studies in the literature confirmed the key role of these chemicals in attracting some aphid predators and parasitoids, including ladybeetles and syrphid flies [39,75,76].
Interestingly, we occasionally observed Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera) on I. parviflora and I. glandulifera flowers; its presence may be related to a reaction to farnesene. This compound is known in the literature not only for its antibacterial, antifungal, and sedative properties, but also shows its strongest effects as an alarm pheromone [39]. It is also possible that the presence of ladybugs was related to aphids that appeared on other plant species growing nearby.
I. parviflora belongs to the invasive and expansive species, in contrast to I. noli-tangere, which is a naturally occurring species in Europe. Under natural conditions, these species often co-occur, and their flowering phases overlap, which may explain the observations of A. mellifera, Bombus sp., and the syrphid flies visiting the flowers of both I. parviflora and I. noli-tangere in neighboring populations of both species. In light of the results obtained, it seems that I. parviflora produces stronger insect attractants (e.g., phenylmethanol, geraniol, heptan-2-one, 1-tetradecene, 1-docosanol, linalool, and linalool oxide) than its native counterpart. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that I. parviflora may reduce the pollination rates of I. noli-tangere by attracting hoverflies that have also been reported to visit the native balsam [44].
Plant volatiles can be used to synergize and enhance the attractiveness of insect pheromones. They form the basis of highly attractive baits but can also act as a feeding deterrent or as a repellent signal to potential pests [77].
In light of the results obtained, it seems that one of the factors affecting the success of the invasion may also be the production of a large number of chemical attractants by Impatiens species.

4. Materials and Methods

4.1. Plant Material

Fresh flowers with visible nectar secretion of investigated Impatiens species used for the chemical analyses were collected from natural populations of analyzed species, including: I. parviflora from populations located in the vicinity of Wrocław (51°07′24″ N 17°05′41″ E), from Wałkowa near Milicz (GPS 51°30′08″ N 17°18′47″ E), Henryków near Ziębice (GPS 50°39′32″ N 17°01′52″ E) and from individuals occurring in Krakow and neighboring Marcyporaba (GPS 49°55′19.7″ N 19°37′38.0″ E) between 24 July 2020 and 29 August 2023. Fresh flowers for the scent analysis of I. glandulifera were collected from populations located in Wrocław (51°05′39″ N 17°05′40″ E), Bystrzyca Kłodzka (GPS 50°18′20″ N 16°39′16″ E), and also from populations localized in the vicinity of Kraków, Marcyporęba and Ochodza (GPS GPS 49°58′36.9″ N 19°44′59.7″ E). I. noli-tangere flowers were collected from populations in Wrocław-Rędzin (51°10′56″ N 16°56′16″ E), and Starczów near Ziębice (GPS 50°33′50″ N 16°56′23″ E), while the flowers of I. capensis, due to the limited distribution area of this species in Poland, were collected from four closely situated populations in Western Pomerania: Police (GPS 53°33′28.4″ N 14°34′14.2″ E), Szczecin-Zdroje (GPS 53°23′09.9″ N 14°37′09.5″ E), Załom (GPS 53°26′31″ N 14°42′20.7″ E), and Lubczyńskie Łęgi (GPS 53°29′20.9″ N 14°41′40.2″ E).

4.2. Field Observations of Insect Activity

Observations were made to determine which groups of insects visit and pollinate Impatiens flowers. These data were needed to verify the results of the chemical analyses. The field observations were conducted once per each locality and included recording the number of insects, the types of resources collected (nectar, pollen), and the time the flowers were handled (to determine whether visiting insects were not random). Observations were carried out occasionally from 2 July to 15 September 2020–2023 in the above-mentioned populations, situated in different parts of Poland: Lower Silesia (SW Poland), Kraków (Lesser Poland), and Western Pomerania (NW Poland). The locations where insect behavior was studied were the same as those where the samples for chemical analysis were collected. Their GPS coordinates are given in Section 4.1. Observations were made over a span of 2–6 h, covering daylight hours (9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.). The visitor insects were photographed/documented using a Nikon D50 camera with a Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 SP Di Macro lens, captured in field conditions by A.J.-B. and identified by specialists. Bumblebees, as legally protected insects in Poland, were not caught but instead identified on the basis of macrophotography.

4.3. GC/MS Analysis of Nectar Composition

The flowers of I. parviflora (n = 350), I. glandulifera (n = 300), I. noli-tangere (n = 250), and I. capensis (n = 250) were collected. Prepared samples of 30–50 flowers containing nectar (depending on their size), were collected in 5 mL glass vials followed by the addition of dichloromethane (Sigma-Aldrich, Merck Life Science, Poznan, Poland, 99.9%) at room temperature. The dichloromethane (1–2 mL) was used to extract foliar nectar drops. Finally, approximately 0.5 mL of the floral extract was obtained for each sample. The extracts were stored at −15 °C until used for GC/MS analyses. Seven samples of the extract of I. parviflora flowers, 9 samples of I. glandulifera, 5 samples of I. noli-tangere, and 9 samples of I. capensis were prepared and analyzed by means of GC/MS chromatography. Chemical analyses were conducted during two research seasons: 2022 and 2023. Only compounds detected in all or the majority of samples from the same species are included in Table 1.
GC/MS chromatography was performed on a GCMS-QP2010SE Shimadzu gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (MS scan 35–600 m/z) and Zebron ZB-5ms (30 m 0.25 mm; Phenomenex) column. The oven temperature at the start of the measurement was 40 °C, and then increased at a rate of 4 °C/min until it reached 120 °C. The oven temperature was increased to 320 °C at a rate of 40 °C/min, then kept at 320 °C for 5 min. The injection port temperature was 250 °C. Helium (1.2 mL/min) was used as a carrier gas. A total of 1 μL of each extract was injected using the splitless technique.
Identification of the compounds was carried out using the NIST17 database. For the identification of long-chain hydrocarbons, samples of C8–C36 alkanes were analyzed by GC/MS using the same oven and column parameters; their spectra and retention times were compared with those obtained in the extracts.

5. Conclusions

In the floral extracts of the Impatiens species studied, the presence of attractants for bees was detected, including alcohols (e.g., pentacosanol, heptacosanol and octacosanol) and aldehydes (e.g., peralgonaldehyde, octadecanal, eicosanal, etc.), as well as long-chain hydrocarbons (e.g., dodecane, tricosane, petacosane, farnesene, etc.) and fatty acids (palmitic, lauric, stearic, etc.). In addition, I. parviflora, I. glandulifera, and I. capensis also produce geraniol and linalool, which attract bumblebees and honeybees. Field observations of the activity of these insect groups, combined with extensive reports on chemical attractants that attract them, suggest that floral chemical compounds could play an important role in the population biology of these invasive species. Based on the results obtained, we hypothesize that the chemical composition of the floral scent of non-native Impatiens spp. may be a key factor in the success of these species in the European secondary range, as the chemicals attract a large group of local pollinators. As a result, the alien balsams may outcompete native plants for pollinators. This scenario could occur in competition with a single native European balsam, I. noli-tangere, which shares similar habitat preferences and common pollinators with its alien counterparts.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, A.J.-B. and I.C.; methodology, A.J.-B., I.C. and M.H.; validation, A.J.-B., I.C. and M.H.; formal analysis, A.J.-B. and I.C.; flower attractants analyses, A.J.-B., I.C. and M.H.; field investigation, A.J.-B., M.M. and K.N.; writing—original draft preparation, A.J.-B., I.C., M.M. and K.N.; writing—review and editing, A.J.-B., I.C., M.M. and K.N.; visualization, A.J.-B. and I.C.; funding acquisition, A.J.-B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data are contained within the article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Ijms 24 17259 g001
Figure 1. Chemical structure of some identified compounds: (a) conipheryl alcohol; and (b) naphthoquinone derivatives.
Figure 1. Chemical structure of some identified compounds: (a) conipheryl alcohol; and (b) naphthoquinone derivatives.
Ijms 24 17259 g001
Ijms 24 17259 g002
Figure 2. Insect visitors to flowers of Impatiens species: (a) Episyrphus balteatus on Impatiens parviflora; (b) Eupeodes corollae on I. parviflora; (c) E. corollae on I. glandulifera; (d) Apis mellifera on I. glandulifera; (e,f) Bombus terrestris on I. glandulifera; (g) B. hortorum on I. capensis; and (h) A. mellifera on I. capensis.
Figure 2. Insect visitors to flowers of Impatiens species: (a) Episyrphus balteatus on Impatiens parviflora; (b) Eupeodes corollae on I. parviflora; (c) E. corollae on I. glandulifera; (d) Apis mellifera on I. glandulifera; (e,f) Bombus terrestris on I. glandulifera; (g) B. hortorum on I. capensis; and (h) A. mellifera on I. capensis.
Ijms 24 17259 g002
Table 1. List of organic compounds identified in floral extracts of investigated Impatiens species.
Table 1. List of organic compounds identified in floral extracts of investigated Impatiens species.
NoName Chemical FormulaCAS NoIParIGlanINolICap
Oxygen-containing compounds
1heptan-2-oneC7H14O110-43-0A---
2phenylmethanolC7H8O100-51-6AB-A
3phenylethanolC8H10O60-12-8-B-A
4nonan-2-oneC9H18O821-55-6AABB
5pelargonaldehyde (nonanal)C9H18O124-19-6A-BB
6p-vinylguaiacol
(2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol)		C9H10O27786-61-0AA-A
7conipheryl alcoholC10H12O3458-35-5-B--
8geraniolC10H18O106-24-1BB-A
9linalool
(2,6-dimethyl-2,7-octadien-6-ol)		C10H18O78-70-6AA-A
10linalool oxide
(trans-tetrahydro-2,2,6-trimethyl-6-vinyl-2H-pyran-3-ol)		C10H18O239028-58-5A---
118-hydroxylinalool
(2,6-dimethyl-2,7-octadiene-1,6-diol)		C10H18O264142-78-5A---
12ethyl 4-ethoxybenzoateC11H14O323676-09-7A-AB
131-heptadecanalC17H34O629-90-3---B
14heptadecan-2-oneC17H34O2922-51-2---B
15octadecanalC18H36O638-66-4AA-A
16nonadecan-2-oneC19H38O629-66-3AABA
17eicosanalC20H40O2400-66-0AB-B
181-eicosanolC20H40O629-96-9---A
191-docosanalC22H46O57402-36-5ABAA
201-docosanolC22H46O661-19-8AA-A
211-tetracosanolC24H50O506-51-4---A
221-tetracosanalC24H48O57866-08-7B-AB
231-pentacosanolC25H52O26040-98-2AB-A
241-hexacosanalC26H52O26627-85-0--AA
251-hexacosanolC26H54O506-52-5--A-
261-heptacosanolC27H56O2004-39-9AAAA
271-octacosanalC28H56O22725-64-0--AA
281-octacosanolC28H58O557-61-9AAAA
Fatty acids and their esters
29decanoic (capric) acidC10H20O2334-48-5-B--
30tetradecanoic (myristic) acidC12H28O2544-63-8BA--
31dodecanoic (lauric) acidC16H32O259154-43-7AA-B
32hexadecanoic (palmitic) acidC16H32O257-10-3AAAA
339,12,15-octadecatrienoic
(linolenic) acid		C18H30O2463-40-1AAAA
34octadecanoic (stearic) acidC18H36O257-11-4AA-A
35eicosanoic (arachic) acidC20H40O2506-30-9BAAA
36ethyl docosanoateC24H48O25908-87-2-A-B
37methyl tetracosanoateC25H50O22442-49-1--AB
Long-chain hydrocarbons
38undecaneC11H241120-21-4AAAA
39dodecaneC12H26112-40-3AA--
40tetradecaneC14H30629-59-4AA-A
41tetradec-1-eneC14H281120-36-1BA-B
42farneseneC15H2418794-84-8ABB-
43hexadecaneC16H34544-76-3AABA
44heptadecaneC17H36629-78-7AAAA
45octadecaneC18H38593-45-3AAAA
46nonadecaneC19H40629-92-5AA-A
47eicosaneC20H42112-95-8AA-A
48neophytadieneC28H38504-96-1BBBB
49heneicosaneC21H44629-94-7AAAA
50docosaneC22H46629-97-0AAAA
51tricosaneC23H48638-67-5AAAA
52pentacosaneC25H52629-99-2AAAA
53pentacos-1-eneC25H5016980-85-1AA-A
54hexacosaneC26H54630-01-3---A
55hexacos-1-eneC26H5218835-33-1-AAB
56heptacosaneC27H56593-49-7ABAA
57heptacos-1-eneC27H5415306-27-1--A-
58octacosaneC28H58630-02-4---A
59nonacosaneC29H60630-03-5AAAA
60triacontaneC30H62638-68-6---A
61hentriacontaneC31H64630-04-6AAAA
Flower pigments
621,4-naphtalenedione
2-hydroxy (lawsone)		C10H6O383-72-7AAAA
631,4-naphtalenedione
2-metoxy		C11H8O32348-82-5-AA-
Abbreviations: IPar—I. parviflora, IGlan—I. glandulifera, INol—I. noli-tangere, ICap—I. capensis; + compounds present, - compounds not detected; number of compound replicates: A—all samples, B—majority of samples.
Table 2. List of insects visiting the studied Impatiens species.
Table 2. List of insects visiting the studied Impatiens species.
Insect OrderFamilySpeciesFlower Visitation RateType of Floral Reward
IParIGlanINolICap
HymenopteraApidaeApis melliferaCABAn, p
Bombus sp.CABAn, p
Bombus hortorum--BCn, p
Bombus hypnorum-B--n, p
Bombus lucorum-complex
(including B. lucorum, B. cryptarum
and B. magnus)		-B--n, p
Bombus pascuorumCABAn, p
Bombus terrestris-BB-n, p
VespidaeVespula vulgaris-C-Bn
HalictidaeHalictus sp.---Cp
Lasioglossum sp.-BCCn
DipteraMuscidaeMusca domestica--C-p
SyrphidaeMelanostoma sp.C-C-n *, p
Eupeodes corollaeAB--n *, p
Episyrphus balteatusABBBn *, p
Helophilus trivittatus-C--p
Sphaerophoria scriptaC-C-n *, p
Syrphus ribesiiB-B-n *, p
LepidopteraSphingidaeMacroglossum stellatarum-C--n
ColeopteraCoccinellidaeCoccinella septempunctataCC--n
Abbreviations: IPar—I. parviflora, IGlan—I. glandulifera, INol—I. noli-tangere, ICap—I. capensis; - Insect species not observed; Insect visitation rates: A—very often, B—often, C—rare; Types of resources collected by the visitors: n—nectar, p—pollen; * Syrphids have the ability to collect nectar exclusively from the flowers of I. parviflora.
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Jakubska-Busse, A.; Czeluśniak, I.; Hojniak, M.; Myśliwy, M.; Najberek, K. Chemical Insect Attractants Produced by Flowers of Impatiens spp. (Balsaminaceae) and List of Floral Visitors. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 17259. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417259

AMA Style

Jakubska-Busse A, Czeluśniak I, Hojniak M, Myśliwy M, Najberek K. Chemical Insect Attractants Produced by Flowers of Impatiens spp. (Balsaminaceae) and List of Floral Visitors. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(24):17259. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417259

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jakubska-Busse, Anna, Izabela Czeluśniak, Marek Hojniak, Monika Myśliwy, and Kamil Najberek. 2023. "Chemical Insect Attractants Produced by Flowers of Impatiens spp. (Balsaminaceae) and List of Floral Visitors" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24, no. 24: 17259. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417259

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