Applied Aspects of Insect Olfaction

Abstract

Under natural conditions, insects are exposed to a great number of volatiles released by plants or other organisms in their habitat. Although some volatiles may contain useful or essential information, for example, on the location of hosts or mates, others may be of no survival value. The odours that are involved in communication, and trigger specific behavioural responses in the organism, are called semiochemicals and include pheromones, kairomones, oviposition deterrents, or stimulants, and a wide range of other classes described below (Nordlund 1981; Howse et al. 1998; Chap. 11). When applied artificially, semiochemicals can be used to mediate the behaviour of the target organism in a desirable way. The potential of semiochemicals for use in pest management and other applications was recognised over half a century ago and plant volatiles have been used for trapping insects for decades. In 1940, Götz predicted the use of insect sex attractants for management of the grape vine moths and said that “... the use of attractants to create artificial sources of stimulation could... fundamentally change pest control, which today [1940] is based on toxic chemicals...” (Götz 1940). Since then semiochemicals have been widely applied in pest management schemes although the use of insecticides still predominates. Application of semiochemicals requires detailed understanding of the behaviour of the target organism.