Chemical communication in insects: Background and application

Abstract

The ultimate practical goal of pheromone research on insect pests is to place the communication system on a molecular basis and to use the knowledge to detect, survey, trap, or disrupt the population. The ideal procedure is to identify quantitatively all of the components and to use all or some of them as synthesized chemicals in the emitting device in the field. Some of the problems and pitfalls are discussed. Detection and survey traps are widely used. Several successful demonstrations of mass trapping and of disruption have been carried out. Given cooperation of government agencies and industry, pheromones will surely be used as one component of integrated pest management. © 2013, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.