Semiochemical-based alternatives to synthetic toxicant insecticides for pollen beetle management

There is an urgent need to develop sustainable pest management systems to protect arable crops in order to replace the current over-reliance on synthetic insecticides. Semiochemicals are insect- or plant-derived chemicals that are used by organisms as information signals. Integrated pest management tools are currently in development that utilise semiochemicals to manipulate the behaviour of pest insects and their natural enemies to provide effective control of pests within the crop. These innovative tools usually require fewer inputs and can involve multiple elements therefore reducing the likelihood of resistance developing compared with use of synthetic toxicants. We review here the life cycle of the pollen beetle Brassicogethes aeneus (previously known as Meligethes aeneus) which is a pest insect of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and describe the current knowledge of any behaviour mediated by semiochemicals in this species. We discuss the behavioural processes where semiochemical-based control approaches may be appropriate and consider how these approaches could be integrated into an integrated pest management strategy for this important arable crop

Airborne Signals from a Wounded Leaf Facilitate Viral Spreading and Induce Antibacterial Resistance in Neighboring Plants

Many plants release airborne volatile compounds in response to wounding due to pathogenic assault. These compounds serve as plant defenses and are involved in plant signaling. Here, we study the effects of pectin methylesterase (PME)-generated methanol release from wounded plants (“emitters”) on the defensive reactions of neighboring “receiver” plants. Plant leaf wounding resulted in the synthesis of PME and a spike in methanol released into the air. Gaseous methanol or vapors from wounded PME-transgenic plants induced resistance to the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in the leaves of non-wounded neighboring “receiver” plants. In experiments with different volatile organic compounds, gaseous methanol was the only airborne factor that could induce antibacterial resistance in neighboring plants. In an effort to understand the mechanisms by which methanol stimulates the antibacterial resistance of “receiver” plants, we constructed forward and reverse suppression subtractive hybridization cDNA libraries from Nicotiana benthamiana plants exposed to methanol. We identified multiple methanol-inducible genes (MIGs), most of which are involved in defense or cell-to-cell trafficking. We then isolated the most affected genes for further analysis: β-1,3-glucanase (BG), a previously unidentified gene (MIG-21), and non-cell-autonomous pathway protein (NCAPP). Experiments with Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and a vector encoding two tandem copies of green fluorescent protein as a tracer of cell-to-cell movement showed the increased gating capacity of plasmodesmata in the presence of BG, MIG-21, and NCAPP. The increased gating capacity is accompanied by enhanced TMV reproduction in the “receivers”. Overall, our data indicate that methanol emitted by a wounded plant acts as a signal that enhances antibacterial resistance and facilitates viral spread in neighboring plants

Advances in heterometallic ring-opening (co)polymerisation catalysis

Truly sustainable plastics require renewable feedstocks coupled with efficient production and end-of-life degradation/recycling processes. Some of the most useful degradable materials are aliphatic polyesters, polycarbonates and polyamides, which are often prepared via ring-opening (co)polymerisation (RO(CO)P) using an organometallic catalyst. While there has been extensive research into ligand development, heterometallic cooperativity offers an equally promising yet underexplored strategy to improve catalyst performance, as heterometallic catalysts often exhibit significant activity and selectivity enhancements compared to their homometallic counterparts. This review describes advances in heterometallic RO(CO)P catalyst design, highlighting the overarching structure-activity trends and reactivity patterns to inform future catalyst design

Elevated temperatures drive the evolution of armour loss in the threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus

1. While there is evidence of genetic and phenotypic responses to climate change, few studies have demonstrated change in functional traits with a known genetic basis. 2. Here we present evidence for an evolutionary adaptive response to elevated temperatures in freshwater populations of the threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus. 3. Using a unique set of historical data and museum specimens, in combination with contemporary samples, we fitted a Bayesian spatial model to identify a population-level decline in the number of lateral bony plates, comprising anti-predator armour, in multiple populations of sticklebacks over the last 91 years in Poland. 4. Armor loss was predicted by elevated temperatures and is proposed to be a correlated response to selection for reduced body size. 5. This study demonstrates a change in a functional trait of known genetic basis in response to elevated temperature, and illustrates the utility of the threespine stickleback as a model for measuring the evolutionary and ecological impacts of environmental change across the northern hemisphere

Architecture, Space and Information in Constructions Built by Humans and Social Insects: a Conceptual Review

The similarities between the structures built by social insects and by humans have led to a convergence of interests between biologists and architects. This new, de facto interdisciplinary community of scholars needs a common terminology and theoretical framework in which to ground its work. In this conceptually oriented review paper, we review the terms “information”, “space” and “architecture” to provide definitions that span biology and architecture. A framework is proposed on which interdisciplinary exchange may be better served, with the view that this will aid better cross fertilisation between disciplines, working in the areas of collective behaviour and analysis of the structures and edifices constructed by non-humans; and to facilitate how this area of study may better contribute to the field of architecture. We then use these definitions to discuss the informational content of constructions built by organisms and the influence these have on behaviour, and vice versa. We review how spatial constraints inform and influence interaction between an organism and its environment, and examine the reciprocity of space and information on construction and the behaviour of humans and social insects

Root-emitted volatile organic compounds: can they mediate belowground plant-plant interactions?

peer reviewedBackground Aboveground, plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that act as chemical signals between neighbouring plants. It is now well documented that VOCs emitted by the roots in the plant rhizosphere also play important ecological roles in the soil ecosystem, notably in plant defence because they are involved in interactions between plants, phytophagous pests and organisms of the third trophic level. The roles played by root-emitted VOCs in between- and within-plant signalling, however, are still poorly documented in the scientific literature. Scope Given that (1) plants release volatile cues mediating plant-plant interactions aboveground, (2) roots can detect the chemical signals originating from their neighbours, and (3) roots release VOCs involved in biotic interactions belowground, the aim of this paper is to discuss the roles of VOCs in between- and within-plant signalling belowground. We also highlight the technical challenges associated with the analysis of root-emitted VOCs and the design of experiments targeting volatile-mediated root-root interactions. Conclusions We conclude that root-root interactions mediated by volatile cues deserve more research attention and that both the analytical tools and methods developed to study the ecological roles played by VOCs in interplant signalling aboveground can be adapted to focus on the roles played by root-emitted VOCs in between- and within-plant signalling

Mamestra dissimilis Knoch. potential to control weed infestation with mossy sorrel (Rumex confertus Willd.)

Badania polowe i laboratoryjne prowadzono w celu oszacowania możliwości wykorzystania piętnówki zmiennej (Mamestra dissimilis Knoch., Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) do regulacji zachwaszczenia spowodowanego przez Rumex confertus (Willd.). W naturalnym siedlisku szczawiu badano dynamikę jego wzrostu oraz liczbę gąsienic piętnówki zmiennej zasiedlających roślinę w okresie 50 dni. Największą liczbę gąsienic odłowiono pod koniec pierwszej dekady czerwca, w czasie gdy roślina żywicielska miała już w pełni wykształconą rozetę. W warunkach laboratoryjnych badano wzrost masy ciała gąsienic oraz ich żerowanie w temperaturze 20oC. Zależności pomiędzy masą zjedzonych liści szczawiu omszonego a przyrostami masy larw L4 i L5 były statystycznie istotne (r = 0,97 i r = 0,88). Stwierdzono bardzo progresywny charakter żerowania larw L4, opisany równaniem 1. stopnia (r = 0,98). Wyliczono, że każdego dnia w ciągu 20 dni żerowania larwy zjadły o 5,9 mg więcej liści. Natomiast dla gąsienic L5 związek ten miał charakter funkcji 2. stopnia (r = 0,96). Oszacowana masa liści szczawiu omszonego, która uległa skonsumowaniu przez larwy piętnówki zmiennej w warunkach naturalnych, wyniosła 159,3 g, co stanowiło około 11% utraty biomasy żywiciela.Field and laboratory research were conducted to determine the potential of Mamestra dissimilis Knoch., Lepidoptera: Noctuidae to control mossy sorrel (Rumex confertus Willd.). In the natural sorrel habitat a dynamics of the plant growth and the number of Mamestra dissimilis Knoch larvae occurring on that plant over 50 days were researched. The highest number of M. dissimilis larvae was caught at the end of the first decade of June when the host plant rosette was fully developed. In the laboratory, the weight of consumed food by larvae, and larval body weight were measured at 20oC. The relations between the weight of the mossy sorrel leaves consumed and L4 and L5 larvae body weight gains were significant, (r = 0.97 and r = 0.88, respectively). A very progressive feeding of L4 larvae was noted, which was defined by first degree equation (r = 0.98). It was calculated that each day over 20 days of feeding L4 larvae consumed about 5.9 mg more leaves than L5 larvae. For L5 larvae, the relationship was the second degree equation (r = 0.96). An estimated weight of mossy sorrel leaves consumed by M. dissimilis larvae under natural conditions was 159.3 g, which accounted for about 11% loss of the host biomass

Volatile induction of infected and neighbouring uninfected plants potentially influence attraction/repellence of a cereal herbivore

Pathogen infection can induce plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We infected ‘McNeal’ wheat and ‘Harrington’ barley with a Fusarium spp. blend (F. graminearum, F. avenaceum and F. culmorum). Both cereals had the greatest VOC induction 14 days after pathogen innoculation, only slightly lower induction occurred at 7 days, but displayed no induction at 1 days. The induced VOC bouquet for both cereals included six green leaf volatiles (GLVs; e.g. (Z)-3-hexenol and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate), four terpenes (linalool, linalool oxide, (Z)-β-ocimene and (E)-β-caryophyllene) and benzyl acetate. Neighboring, uninfected individuals of both cereals had significant VOC induction when exposed to an infected, conspecific plant. The temporal pattern and VOC blend were qualitatively similar to infected plants but with quantitative reductions for all induced VOCs. The degree of neighbouring, uninfected plant induction was negatively related to distance from an infected plant. Plant VOC induction in response to pathogen infection potentially influences herbivore attraction or repellency. Y-tube tests showed that herbivorous female and male Oulema cyanella Voet. (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) were significantly attracted to (Z)-3-hexenal and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate at 300 and 1500 ng/h but were repelled by both GLVs as well as (Z)-β-ocimene and linalool at 7500 ng/h. These O. cyanella behavioral responses were significantly at higher concentrations than those emitted by single plants with pathogen-induced VOCs, so adults might only be able to respond to a dense group of infected plants. Also, O. cyanella dose responses differ from the previously tested congeneric O. melanopus (cereal leaf beetle), which was attracted to three VOCs induced by Fusarium infection of maize, barley and wheat. Future behavioral tests may indicate whether different herbivore dose responses measured with each VOC singly can help to predict attraction or repellency to injured and uninjured VOC bouquets from different host plant species

Damages caused by insects occurring on Rumex confertus Willd.

Rumex confertus Willd., niebezpieczny chwast charakteryzujący się wysoką reprodukcyjnością, pojawia się co roku na nowych stanowiskach. Chemiczna metoda walki z nim jest trudna ze względu na bogaty system korzeniowy. Przedstawione doświadczenia były prowadzone w latach 1997-1999 oraz 2001 w naturalnych warunkach siedliskowych Rumex confertus Willd. W pracy analizowano owady zasiedlające Rumex confertus Willd., a także zawartość substancji o charakterze wtórnych metabolitów. Stwierdzono, że szczaw omszony jest zasiedlany przez licznych roślinożerców. Szczególnie uszkadzane były jego organy generatywne. Wraz ze wzrostem uszkodzeń zwiększa się również ilość polifenolokwasów w roślinie.Rumex confertus Willd., a dangerous weed, characterized by its high reproduction potential, occurs in new stands in Poland every year. Its chemical control is difficult due to the rich root system. This study offers an analysis of insects which occur on Rumex confertus Willd., as well as the contents of secondary metabolites. It was noticed that mossy sorrel is occupied by numerous herbivorous insects; generative organs were mostly damaged. The higher the damage index, the greater the content of polyphenolic acids in the plant