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Insects
Special Issues
Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology
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Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 10481

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kevin W. Wanner

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Interests: insect molecular biology; functional genomics; insect chemical senses; chemical ecology
Dr. William B. Walker

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
USDA-ARS Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, USA
Interests: insect chemical sensing; chemosensory receptors; odorant receptors; Cydia pomonella; electrophysiology; bioinformatics; transcriptome; evolution; chemical ecology; chemosensory transduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tibebe Dejene Biasazin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 102, 230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
Interests: chemical ecology; fruit flies; sensory; behavioral ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The olfactory and gustatory senses connect insects with their abiotic and biotic chemical environment, mediating critical behaviors, including host and mate seeking and selection, feeding, migration, and social interactions. A tremendous body of literature describes the mechanisms of chemosensation, from the chemistry of the signals and their molecular detection by sensory neurons to their neurological coding and resulting behavior. Genes that underlie chemosensory mechanisms are studied for their contributions to behavioral phenotype and speciation and as novel targets to manipulate insect pest and disease vector behavior in novel strategies to mitigate their economic impacts. Next-generation DNA sequencing, RNA interference, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing expand the genetic toolbox to insects beyond traditional model species, opening research avenues for economically relevant and evolutionarily interesting insects far and wide. This Special Issue focuses on integrative research that employs recent technological advances to chemosensory topics ranging from receptor structure and function to electrophysiology, neuroethology, and chemical ecology.

Dr. Kevin W. Wanner
Dr. William B. Walker
Dr. Tibebe Dejene Biasazin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • olfaction
  • gustation
  • chemosensation
  • chemosensory receptor
  • odorant receptor
  • gustatory receptor
  • chemical ecology
  • neuroethology
  • evolution
  • electrophysiology
  • brain
  • behavior
  • semiochemical

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 7630 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic and Gene Expression Analysis of Chemosensory Genes from White Grubs of Hylamorpha elegans (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a Subterranean Pest in South America
by Paula Lizana, Ana Mutis, Rubén Palma-Millanao, Giovanni Larama, Binu Antony, Andrés Quiroz and Herbert Venthur
Insects 2024, 15(9), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15090660 - 30 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1423
Abstract
Olfaction and gustation processes play key roles in the life cycle of insects, such as finding and accepting food sources, oviposition sites, and mates, among other fundamental aspects of insect development. In this context, chemosensory genes found in sensory organs (e.g., antennae and [...] Read more.
Olfaction and gustation processes play key roles in the life cycle of insects, such as finding and accepting food sources, oviposition sites, and mates, among other fundamental aspects of insect development. In this context, chemosensory genes found in sensory organs (e.g., antennae and maxillary palps) are crucial for understanding insect behaviour, particularly the phytophagous behaviour of insect pests that attack economically important crops. An example is the scarab beetle Hylamorpha elegans, which feeds on the roots of several crops important for livestock in its larval stage. In this study, chemosensory gene candidates of H. elegans white grubs identified through the head transcriptome and phylogenetic and tissue-biased gene expression (antennae, head without antennae, and legs) have been reported. Overall, 47 chemosensory genes were identified (2 ORs, 1 GR, 11 IRs, 9 CSPs, and 24 OBPs). Gene expression analysis revealed the predominant presence of IRs in the legs, whereas ORs and the GR were present in the heads and/or antennae. Particularly, HeleOBP9 and HeleCSP2 were significantly expressed in the head but not in the antennae or legs; these and other genes are discussed as potential targets in the context of H. elegans management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology)
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13 pages, 2228 KiB  
Article
Spodoptera frugiperda Salivary Glucose Oxidase Reduces the Release of Green Leaf Volatiles and Increases Terpene Emission from Maize
by Bin Gao, Bin Li, Jinxi Yuan, Zhan Shi, Xialin Zheng and Guirong Wang
Insects 2024, 15(7), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070511 - 8 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1641
Abstract
The intricate relationships between plants and insects are essential for understanding ecological dynamics. Among these interactions, HIPVs serve as a pivotal defense mechanism. Our findings reveal the highly conserved nature of the GOX gene within the Lepidoptera order, highly expressed in the salivary [...] Read more.
The intricate relationships between plants and insects are essential for understanding ecological dynamics. Among these interactions, HIPVs serve as a pivotal defense mechanism. Our findings reveal the highly conserved nature of the GOX gene within the Lepidoptera order, highly expressed in the salivary glands of S. frugiperda, and its role in mediating maize’s defense responses. Notably, salivary GOX activity expression significantly decreases subsequent gene knockout. The presence of GOX in the saliva of S. frugiperda significantly modulates the emission of HIPVs during maize consumption. This research delineates that GOX selectively inhibits the emission of certain green leaf volatiles (GLVs) while concurrently enhancing the release of terpene volatiles. This study unveils a novel mechanism whereby S. frugiperda utilizes GOX proteins in OS to modulate volatile emissions from maize, offering fresh perspectives on the adaptive evolution of phytophagous insects and their interactions with their preferred host plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology)
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13 pages, 3075 KiB  
Article
Functional Identification of Olfactory Receptors of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) for Plant Odor
by Jianjun Cheng, Jiawei Gui, Xiaoming Yao, Hong Zhao, Yujie Zhou and Yongjun Du
Insects 2023, 14(12), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14120930 - 7 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1919
Abstract
Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a migratory insect pest on rice crops. The migratory C. medinalis population in a particular location may be immigrants, local populations, emigrants, or a mix of these. Immigrants are strongly attracted to plant odor. We conducted research to [...] Read more.
Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a migratory insect pest on rice crops. The migratory C. medinalis population in a particular location may be immigrants, local populations, emigrants, or a mix of these. Immigrants are strongly attracted to plant odor. We conducted research to identify the olfactory receptors in a floral scent mixture that is strongly attractive to C. medinalis. Through gene cloning, 12 olfactory receptor (OR) genes were amplified and expressed in Xenopus oocytes in vitro, and three of them were found to be responsive to plant foliar and floral volatiles. These were CmedOR31, a specific receptor for geraniol; CmedOR32, a broad-spectrum OR gene that responded to both foliar and floral odors; and CmedOR1, which strongly responded to 10−4 M phenylacetaldehyde. The electrophysiological response to phenylacetaldehyde was extremely high, with a current of 3200 ± 86 nA and an extremely high sensitivity. We compared the phylogenetic tree and sequence similarity of CmedOR genes and found that CmedOR1 belonged to a uniquely conserved OR pedigree in the evolution of Glossata species, and the ORs of this pedigree strongly responded to phenylacetaldehyde. The expression of OR1 was significantly higher in the females than in the males. Localization of CmedOR1 in the antennae of C. medinalis by fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that CmedOR1 was expressed in both males and females. CmedOR1 may be an odor receptor used by females to locate food sources. The function of these ORs and their role in pest monitoring were discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology)
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22 pages, 3544 KiB  
Article
Uncovering the Chemosensory System of a Subterranean Termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) (Isoptera: Termitidae): Revealing the Chemosensory Genes and Gene Expression Patterns
by Rana Muhammad Kaleem Ullah, Bao Jia, Sheng Liang, Aatika Sikandar, Fukun Gao and Haiyan Wu
Insects 2023, 14(11), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110883 - 15 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2011
Abstract
Termites are eusocial insects. Chemical signals between colony members are crucial to the smooth running of colony operations, but little is known about their olfactory system and the roles played by various chemosensory genes in this process. Chemosensory genes are involved in basic [...] Read more.
Termites are eusocial insects. Chemical signals between colony members are crucial to the smooth running of colony operations, but little is known about their olfactory system and the roles played by various chemosensory genes in this process. Chemosensory genes are involved in basic olfactory perception in insects. Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) is one of the most damaging pests to agricultural crops, forests, and human-made structures. To better understand the olfactory system and the genes involved in olfactory processing in O. formosanus, we produced a transcriptome of worker termites. In this study, we identified 13 OforOBPs, 1 OforCSP, 15 OforORs, 9 OforGRs, and 4 OforSNMPs. Multiple sequence alignments were used in the phylogenetic study, which included data from other termite species and a wide variety of insect species. Moreover, we also investigated the mRNA expression levels using qRT-PCR. The significantly high expression levels of OforCSP1, OforOBP2, OforOR1, and OforSNMP1 suggest that these genes may play important roles in olfactory processing in termite social behavior, including caste differentiation, nestmate and non-nestmate discrimination, and the performance of colony operations among members. Our research establishes a foundation for future molecular-level functional studies of chemosensory genes in O. formosanus, which might lead to the identification of novel targets for termite integrated pest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology)
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Review

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12 pages, 657 KiB  
Review
Influences of Microbial Symbionts on Chemoreception of Their Insect Hosts
by Zhengyan Wang, Zhenzhen Chang, Zhiyuan Liu and Shan Zhang
Insects 2023, 14(7), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14070638 - 14 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2571
Abstract
Chemical communication is widespread among insects and exploited to adjust their behavior, such as food and habitat seeking and preferences, recruitment, defense, and mate attraction. Recently, many studies have revealed that microbial symbionts could regulate host chemical communication by affecting the synthesis and [...] Read more.
Chemical communication is widespread among insects and exploited to adjust their behavior, such as food and habitat seeking and preferences, recruitment, defense, and mate attraction. Recently, many studies have revealed that microbial symbionts could regulate host chemical communication by affecting the synthesis and perception of insect semiochemicals. In this paper, we review recent studies of the influence of microbial symbionts on insect chemoreception. Microbial symbionts may influence insect sensitivity to semiochemicals by regulating the synthesis of odorant-binding proteins or chemosensory proteins and olfactory or gustatory receptors and regulating host neurotransmission, thereby adjusting insect behavior. The manipulation of insect chemosensory behavior by microbial symbionts is conducive to their proliferation and dispersal and provides the impetus for insects to change their feeding habits and aggregation and dispersal behavior, which contributes to population differentiation in insects. Future research is necessary to reveal the material and information exchange between both partners to improve our comprehension of the evolution of chemoreception in insects. Manipulating insect chemoreception physiology by inoculating them with microbes could be utilized as a potential approach to managing insect populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology)
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