What is Semiochemicals in pest management?
Semiochemicals are signalling chemicals used to carry information between living organisms and which cause changes in their behaviour. Furthermore, semiochemicals that repel pests or attract their natural enemies could be used to keep pest populations below damaging levels.
What are insect Semiochemicals?
Semiochemicals are organic compounds used by insects to convey specific chemical messages that modify behavior or physiology [1]. The term semiochemical is derived from the Greek word “semeon” which means sign or signal. Semiochemicals are species-specific and harmless to the environment.
What do you know about Semiochemicals?
A semiochemical, from the Greek σημεῖον (semeion), meaning “signal”, is a chemical substance or mixture released by an organism that affects the behaviors of other individuals. It is usually used in the field of chemical ecology to encompass pheromones, allomones, kairomones, attractants and repellents.
What are those Semiochemicals which provide advantage to the producers and those of the receivers?
Those that benefit the receiver but disadvantage the producer are kairomones. Allomones benefit the producer by modifying the behavior of the receiver although having a neutral effect on the receiver. Synomones benefit both the producer and the receiver.
What is the meaning of Kairomones?
Definition of kairomone : a chemical substance emitted by one species and especially an insect or plant that has an adaptive benefit (such as a stimulus for oviposition) to another species.
What is entomopathogenic organism?
Entomopathogenic organisms are parasitic organisms that grow on or in insects, most often killing them in the process. The website that you are reading highlights three types of entomopathogenic organisms: fungi, nematodes, and bacteria.
What are entomopathogenic pathogens?
Entomopathogens are microorganisms that are pathogenic to arthropods such as insects, mites, and ticks. Several species of naturally occurring bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and viruses infect a variety of arthropod pests and play an important role in their management.
How do Kairomones work?
Predators use them to find prey Instead of deterring the insect, it acts synergistically with aggregation pheromones which in turn act to lure more beetles to the tree. In this case the chemical substance produced is both a pheromone (communication between bark beetles) and a kairomone (eavesdropping).
What is difference between Allomones and Kairomones?
Kairomones are compounds produced by one organism and sensed by and beneficial to another organism. Allomones are compounds that are beneficial to the producing organism.
How are semiochemicals used to control pests?
The initial mechanism of mating disruption in pests via semiochemicals involves releasing high quantities of synthetic female sex pheromones to alter the mating behavior of males. Later, the attracted male can be inhibited via mass trapping approach using other semiochemicals [35].
How are semiochemicals good for the environment and humans?
Semiochemicals contain no poisonous substances and pose no threat to humans, non-target pests, or wildlife. Semiochemicals are only needed in low amounts, and their non-toxic nature make them better for the planet.
How are pheromones used in the management of insects?
In pest management, pheromones are instrumental in reducing insect populations by preventing them from procreating. When a pheromone solution is used on crops, male insects become confused and unable to find a female to mate with. This proactive approach reduces pest populations without killing insects and without using a single drop of pesticide.
Are there any natural enemies that use semiochemicals?
Indeed, there are numerous examples of natural enemies having learned or evolved to use the pheromones of their prey as foraging cues (Vet and Dicke, 1992 ). For example, aphid natural enemies rely on semiochemicals, especially the aphid alarm pheromone, to locate aphid colonies ( Fig. 9.3 ).