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Interactions between Plant Semiochemicals and Insects

There are many methods of communication prevalent in species interactions. However, some methods allow species from even different kingdoms to communicate with each other. Plants, in order to communicate with insects, release signals known as semiochemicals, which are packets of chemicals used to deliver some sort of message. These semiochemicals vary in their effects, and different plants have evolved different kinds of semiochemicals for certain situations. Examining these chemicals allows humans to understand the varying kinds of insect- plant interactions, as well as give humans a means by which insects can be communicated to through artificial semiochemicals. These examples of the powerful and efficient effects of semiochemicals can show us the importance of cross-species communication.

I. There are several introductory elements to semiochemicals which must be known.

Plants interact with insects by the way of ‘odor plumes’ carrying plant volatiles that affect the insect’s olfactory senses (Beyaert and Hilker, 2014).

Semiochemials, in a general sense, operate with a type of ‘push-pull strategy’ when used on insects (Cook et al. 2006).

One basic function of plant semiochemicals is to repel insects. Sometimes this has the added effect of ‘inhibiting’ the insect’s ability to sense pheromones (Reddy and Guerrero, 2004).

Normally, plants release defensive compounds only during the day. Some plants, such as the tobacco plant, have evolved to release compounds at night to deal nocturnal herbivores (De Moraes et al. 2001).

II. While some plants use semiochemicals as a basic ‘push’ protection, others are able to use them to ‘pull’ insects towards them.

Some plants, such as orchids, trick insects into thinking they are potential mates not only through visual mimicry, but also through semiochemicals (Dettner and Liepert, 1994).

Some kinds of insects take in plant compounds to use as pheromones of their own (Landolt and Phillips, 1997)

Some plants are able to attract other organisms that prey on the herbivores they are being attacked by using volatiles (Bernasconi et al. 1998).

There is a specific method by which hunter and parasitoid organisms find their host with plant semiochemicals (Stowe et al. 1995).

III. Humans have been able to synthesize semiochemicals for their own uses.

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Humans are able to use semiochemicals as an alternative to normal means of pest control (Agelopoulos et al. 1999).

There are multiple benefits for using semiochemicals for pest management compared to insecticides (Witzgall et al. 2010).

Conclusion:

As a basis of many examples of insect-plant interactions, semiochemicals are incredibly important signals to research and utilize. As studies have shown, the complex effects of semiochemicals are invaluable to ensure a plant’s survival against insect herbivory and to bolster other relationships with them. However, they are also able to become a boon not only to plants, but also to humans, who are able to manufacture semiochemicals in order to manipulate insects much more safely than conventional methods. Due to their significant utility as tools, semiochemicals can no longer be ignored as solutions to the multitude of problematic insect- plant situations

References

Agelopoulos N, Birkett MA, Hick AJ, Hooper AM, Pickett JA, Pow EM, Smart LE, Smiley DWM, Wadhams LJ, Woodcook CM (1999) Exploiting semiochemicals in insect control. Pesticide Science 55:225-235.

Bernasconi ML, Turlings TCJ, Ambrosetti L, Bassetti P, Dorn S (1998) Herbivore- induced emissions of maize volatiles repel the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 87:133-142.

Beyaert I, Hilker M (2014) Plant odour plumes as mediators of plant-insect interactions. Biol. Rev. 89:68-81.

Cook SM, Khan ZR, Pickett JA (2006) The use of push-pull strategies in integrated pest management. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 52:375-400.

Dettner K, Liepert C (1994) Chemical mimicry and camouflage. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 39:129-154.

Landolt PJ, Phillips TW (1997) Host plant influences on sex pheromone behavior of phytophagous insects. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 42:371-391.

Moraes CM, Mescher MC, Tumlinson JH (2001) Caterpillar-induced nocturnal plant volatiles repel conspecific females. Nature 410:577-580.

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Reddy GVP, Guerrero A (2004) Interactions of insect pheromones and plant semiochemicals. Trends in Plant Science 9:253-261.

Stowe MK, Turlings TCJ, Loughrin JH, Lewis WJ, Tumlinson JH (1995) The chemistry of eavesdropping, alarm, and deceit. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:23-28.

Witzgall P, Kirsch P, Cork A (2010) Sex pheromones and their impact on pest management. J Chem Ecol 36:80-100.