Manipulation of insect signaling for monitoring and control of pest insects

Abstract

Knowledge is obtained from inherited information, information gained from learning (experience), and by information received from others through communication (teaching). The importance of the role of communication in the life histories of living organisms has been recognized since ancient times, and there are many reasons to study communication in animals. For example, reproduction in sexual animals is not possible without communication, and communication is essential for the proper functioning of all types of social organisms that live together in groups or colonies. Furthermore, the study of animal signals can be used to understand general principles of evolution, and many practical applications of communication have their origins in basic studies of information exchange between animals. The manipulation of insect signaling for monitoring and control of pest species are just two examples that illustrate some of the applications that have been developed from basic studies of communication processes in animals. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.