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Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions

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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 12714

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Sergio Angeli

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
Interests: agricultural and forest entomology; ecological interactions between plants and insects; insect olfaction; semiochemicals; insect rearing; volatile organic compound characterization; sensory proteins; botanical insecticides; integrated pest management and organic pest control

Prof. Gianfranco Anfora

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Guest Editor

Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
Interests: agricultural entomology; insect chemical ecology; multitrophic interactions; semiochemicals; integrated pest management; biological control; invasive alien species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Giacinto S. Germinara

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering (DAFNE), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
Interests: chemical ecology; insect pheromones; allelochemicals; extraction methods; electrophysiology; chemical analysis (GC-EAD, GC-MS-EAD); behavioral bioassays; insect–plant interactions; essential oil and plant extracts; stored-product insect pests; agricultural and forest pests; insect monitoring; mating disruption; attract and kill; mass trapping; integrated pest management; invasive alien species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In nature, herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) as well as many other semiochemicals are important chemical cues for regulating population ecology and population dynamics, particularly within insect species, as well as plant–insect interactions. The characterization of these compounds, in terms of their chemical structures and ecological functions, unravels new chemical languages, shaping evolution and ecology since geological times. Moreover, the acquired knowledge about their release and perception can help in developing novel strategies in pest control, alternative to the use of synthetic pesticides, therefore encouraging organic farming and a more sustainable agriculture, as requested in Europe by the “EU biodiversity” and “Farm to Fork” strategies. Semiochemicals, including pheromones, kairomones, allomones and synomones, can be used as monitoring and control tools (i.e., mating disruption, mass trapping, attract and kill, push and pull) to decrease pest populations, as well as increase crop defense and protection.

This Special Issue welcomes original research on the characterization of HIPVs, pheromones, kairomones and other semiochemicals which mediate intra- and inter-specific communication between arthropods and agricultural plant species. Manuscripts may focus on chemical (GC-MS, GC-FID, PTR-MS, etc.) and electroantennographic (EAG, GC-EAD, GC-MS-EAD) characterization of volatile compounds, as well as on behavioral and field studies and the development of new applications in monitoring and/or control of agricultural, forest and stored-product pests.

Prof. Sergio Angeli
Prof. Gianfranco Anfora
Prof. Dr. Giacinto S. Germinara
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

insect olfaction
insect–plant interactions
semiochemicals
pheromones
kairomones
allomones
electroantennography
olfactometry
biopesticides
trapping
population dynamics
pest damages
organic farming
integrated pest manage

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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12 pages, 755 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leaffooted Bugs, Leptoglossus phyllopus (Hemiptera: Coreidae), Are Attracted to Volatile Emissions from Herbivore-Damaged Cotton Bolls

by Malek A. Alwedyan, Anjel M. Helms and Michael J. Brewer

Insects 2025, 16(4), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040425 - 17 Apr 2025

Viewed by 185

Abstract

The leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus phyllopus (L.) (Hemiptera: Coreidae), probes and feeds on tissues of many plant species, including developing cotton bolls, causing seed damage and abscission. Insecticides are the primary tool for managing leaffooted bugs, but concerns about resistance and environmental harm highlight the need for alternative management strategies. One promising approach is using semiochemicals, such as plant- and insect-produced volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to trap or repel pests. Insect herbivores often use plant-produced VOCs to select suitable host plants for feeding and oviposition. Field observations of abundant adult leaffooted bugs on cotton bolls suggest that bugs aggregate at feeding sites. The goal of this study was to characterize VOCs from developing cotton bolls with and without leaffooted bug herbivory and evaluate how these VOCs affect adult bug foraging behavior. A portable dynamic headspace sampling method was used to collect VOCs from developing cotton bolls in the field, and VOC samples were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Leaffooted bug herbivory induced volatile emissions from cotton bolls, with significant increases in the emissions of six compounds (benzaldehyde, α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, p-xylene, and (E)-β-caryophyllene). Dual-choice olfactometer assays revealed that adult leaffooted bugs were attracted to VOCs from damaged cotton bolls, as well as being attracted to synthetic benzaldehyde or α-pinene individually. In contrast, leaffooted bugs were repelled by the combination of synthetic benzaldehyde and α-pinene. These findings suggest that VOCs from cotton bolls are attractive to leaffooted bugs and could contribute to the development of attractive lures for integrated pest management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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17 pages, 5116 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Population Dynamics of Galerucella birmanica and Its Aggregation Behavior in Brasenia schreberi Aquaculture System

by Yini Wang, Yahong Wang and Changfang Zhou

Insects 2025, 16(4), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040371 - 1 Apr 2025

Viewed by 341

Abstract

The aquatic vegetable Brasenia schreberi Gmel. (Nymphaeales: Cabombaceae), widely cultivated in China, faces severe challenges from pest disturbances. With a field investigation, G. birmanica occurred for several generations in the Brasenia mono-cultivation system. The first visual peak on leaf surfaces appeared in July, with eggs, larvae, pupae and adults all being recorded. The highest number of flying adults were trapped in August in reverse to the absence of beetles on leaves, followed by an extraordinary high number of eggs in September. G. birmanica exhibited a conspicuous aggregation in distribution, with severely chewed areas having a G. birmanica abundance 21.6 times that of the non-chewed areas. Laboratory studies with GC–MS and two-choice tests revealed four volatiles significantly discrepant in contents released from chewed/intact leaves: cis-3-hexenyl acetate (917.33 ± 29.56 vs. 604.034 ± 23.24 ng, chewed vs. intact), 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate (595.37 ± 28.42 vs. 356.00 ± 13.44 ng), undecane (771.44 ± 34.72 vs. 1003.28 ± 47.88 ng) and methyl salicylate (1079.84 ± 49.39 vs. 532.11 ± 18.23 ng); among them, 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate could significantly attract G. birmanica adults. Our study suggests that G. birmanica can be a severe threat to mono-cultivated B. schreberi, whereas the damaged leaves may sacrifice themselves by attracting the beetles with an herbivore-induced volatile, thus protecting the whole plant population from pest disturbance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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18 pages, 2514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Untargeted Volatile Profiling Identifies Key Compounds Driving the Attraction of Western Flower Thrips to Alstroemeria Cultivars

by Luis Gerardo Cubillos-Quijano, Marco Díaz, Ericsson Coy-Barrera and Daniel Rodríguez

Insects 2025, 16(2), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020216 - 16 Feb 2025

Viewed by 541

Abstract

Western flower thrips (WFTs) are significant pests affecting various crops globally. Developing sustainable strategies for managing WFTs is essential for improving thrips management. Ethological control methods, particularly those employing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants to influence insect behavior, have emerged as a promising avenue for pest management. Natural hosts such as Alstroemeria provide an intriguing yet underexplored opportunity for developing attractants tailored to WFT management. This study examined the behavioral preferences of WFTs towards flowers of four commercial Alstroemeria cultivars, focusing on variations in VOC profiles. Using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), VOCs were captured in vivo from cultivars with contrasting levels of WFT infestation. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to analyze the VOCs, with linear retention indices aiding compound identification. An untargeted volatile profiling-based comparative analysis revealed key VOCs that differed among cultivars, shedding light on their potential correlation with WFT behavior. Behavioral assays identified three specific VOCs—butyl butyrate, 1-methylnaphthalene, and citronellyl acetate—as influential in attracting WFTs. Attraction responses were concentration-dependent, with two tested concentrations eliciting significant behavioral effects. These findings highlight the potential of these active VOCs as components of novel attractants for WFT management. The results direct future research and the development of tools to integrate ethological strategies into sustainable pest management practices for crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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15 pages, 1708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oviposition Deterrents from Extracts of Eryngium foetidum Against Potato Tuber Moth Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

by Yanfen Ma, Xinzhou Yang, Mei Wu, Yunjiao Guo, Wenxia Dong, Rui Tang and Chun Xiao

Insects 2025, 16(2), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020158 - 4 Feb 2025

Viewed by 671

Abstract

The potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella is a serious boring pest of potato. An integrated ecological approach to sustainable pest management is necessary for the control of this species. This study investigated the effects of minced leaves and plant extracts of Eryngium foetidum on the oviposition behavior of PTM females. The behavioral regulatory components of PTM females in response to the extracts were determined using chemical analyses and electrophysiological tests. Individual electroantennographic detection (EAD)-active compounds and mixtures were evaluated using oviposition choice bioassays. The results indicate that minced leaves had a deterrent effect on oviposition. The extracts at low dosages had an attraction effect, while high dosages had a repellent effect on the oviposition of PTM adult females. The dominant compounds of the extracts were trans-2-dodecenal and trans-2-tridecenal and showed EAD activity. trans-2-dodecenal, trans-2-tridecenal and their mixtures showed significant oviposition-repellent effects toward the PTM. The oviposition stimulation indices (OSIs) of trans-2-dodecenal and trans-2-tridecenal were −100% and −94.03% at 10 mg/mL, respectively. The OSIs of mixtures at natural ratios of 10 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL were −95.11% and −90.96%, respectively. The results can be used for the further development of ecological control strategies for this pest species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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11 pages, 2099 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Female Sex Pheromone of a Plant Bug, Polymerus pekinensis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae)

by Liuyang Wang, Yubo Wang, Xiaofang Zhang, Meijuan Fang, Xiangdong Mei and Tao Zhang

Insects 2025, 16(2), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020111 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 818

Abstract

Insect sex pheromones have been widely used in integrated pest control due to their efficiency, non-toxicity, specificity, and environmental sustainability. They are considered a key component of green pest management techniques. Polymerus pekinensis is a phytophagous plant bug on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in East Asia. This study used gas chromatography–electroantennogram detection (GC–EAD) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to analyze the whole-body extracts from male and female P. pekinensis. Octyl acetate (OA) and decyl acetate (DA) elicited the antennal response of males and were identified as the predominant components of female and male extracts, respectively. Subsequent field trials demonstrated that OA (>8 mg per lure) showed the strongest attraction to conspecific males. However, when DA was added in a lure (≥2 mg), a significant decline in captures occurred. These findings provide new insights into the understanding of sex pheromones in Miridae and benefit the development of sustainable management of P. pekinensis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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12 pages, 605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salicylic Aldehyde and Its Potential Use in Semiochemical-Based Pest Control Strategies Against Trypophloeus binodulus

by Antonio Ortiz, Lucía Ruiz-Martos, Andy Bruno, Carmen Vega-Valdés, Eva Díez-Presa, Lucía Delgado-Salán, Dana Mínguez-Bermejo, Pedro A. Casquero and Álvaro Rodríguez-González

Insects 2024, 15(12), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15120964 - 4 Dec 2024

Viewed by 835

Abstract

The poplar bark beetle Trypophloeus binodulus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is a key pest of poplar trees (Malpighiales: Salicaceae, genus Populus) across northern Spain. However, among the more than 200 poplar clones available on the market, the clone USA 184-411 has the highest susceptibility to T. binodulus attacks. We tested the hypothesis that compounds released by the most susceptible poplar clone chemically mediate Trypophloeus binodulus behavior. The leaf and bark volatile chemical profile composition of host poplar Populus nigra L. (Salicaceae) clones were analyzed and tested on adult T. binodulus by electroantennography (EAG) and by monitoring their populations in baited traps in northern Spain. The collection of volatiles released by the leaves and bark of both clones by SPME revealed the emission of 53 components from different chemical classes. Salicylaldehyde dominated these collections of leaf volatiles and was more abundant in aerations of the more susceptible poplar clone (USA 184-411). The EAG response of adult beetles to salicylaldehyde was higher than that of any other plant odorants. In field trials, traps baited with salicylaldehyde + ethanol significantly captured more adults than all other treatments, irrespective of other lure components. The present study could aid in developing semiochemical-based management tactics against this important pest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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17 pages, 7585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Dynamics of Pheromone Release in Two Passive Dispensers Commonly Used for Mating Disruption in the Control of Lobesia botrana and Eupoecilia ambiguella in Vineyards

by Marta Corbetta, Luca Bricchi, Vittorio Rossi and Giorgia Fedele

Insects 2024, 15(12), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15120962 - 3 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1117

Abstract

Background: Mating disruption (MD) is a worthwhile technique for the control of Lobesia botrana and Eupoecilia ambiguella in central Europe and Mediterranean areas. MD efficacy is affected by the pheromone release (PR), which in turn is influenced by environmental conditions. Methods: The effect of weather conditions on PR was evaluated under four different fields in northern Italy. The PR of two commercial types of MD passive dispensers was correlated with different variables. Results: For both dispensers, the temperature and vapor pressure deficit explained PR in vineyards with diverse weather conditions better than time. The effect of temperature was not linear, and any temperature increase at high temperatures accelerated the PRR more than proportionally. One dispenser type showed a non-linear release trend of the pheromone emission in field conditions with respect to the considered variables; further, the stepwise regression pointed out the importance of the dichotomous variable associated with the vineyard for increasing the goodness-of-fit. Conclusions: The equations developed in this work are dispenser-dependent and can provide information on the PR during the season for each dispenser type, as influenced by weather conditions. These equations could serve as an input for a pheromone concentration model to predict concentrations based on meteorological conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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22 pages, 15343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Female-Biased Chemosensory Protein PxutCSP19 in the Antennae of Papilio xuthus Tuned to Host Volatiles and Insecticides

by Ningna Yin, Dan Shen, Yinlan Liang, Pengfei Wang, Yonghe Li and Naiyong Liu

Insects 2024, 15(7), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070501 - 5 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1410

Abstract

Chemosensory protein (CSP) genes significantly enriched in the female antennae are potential molecular candidates for mediating female oviposition behaviors. In this study, we presented the interaction mechanisms of a female-antenna-biased PxutCSP19 in Papilio xuthus to 47 host volatiles, four biopesticides and 24 synthetic insecticides. Using a bioinformatics-based homology search, 22 genes orthologous to PxutCSP19 were identified from 22 other Papilio butterflies with high sequence identities to each other (73.20~98.72%). Multiple alignment analyses revealed a particularly extended N-terminus of Papilio CSP19s (an average of 154 residues) compared to insects’ typical CSPs (approximately 120 residues). The expression profiles indicated that PxutCSP19 was significantly enriched in the female antennae, with a 31.81-fold difference relative to the male antennae. In ligand-binding assays, PxutCSP19 could strongly bind six host odorants with high affinities, ranging from dissociation constant (K_i) values of 20.44 ± 0.64 μM to 22.71 ± 0.73 μM. Notably, this protein was tuned to a monoterpenoid alcohol, linalool, which generally existed in the Rutaceae plants and elicited electrophysiological and behavioral activities of the swallowtail butterfly. On the other hand, PxutCSP19 was also capable of binding eight insecticides with stronger binding abilities (K_i < 12 μM) compared to host odorants. When an extended N-terminal region of PxutCSP19 was truncated into two different proteins, they did not significantly affect the binding of PxutCSP19 to ligands with high affinities, suggesting that this extended N-terminal sequences were not involved in the specificity of ligand recognition. Altogether, our study sheds light on the putative roles of PxutCSP19 enriched in the female antennae of P. xuthus in the perception of host volatiles and the sequestering of insecticides, and it complements the knowledge of butterfly CSPs in olfaction and insecticide resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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12 pages, 2154 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Host Volatiles Potentially Drive Two Evolutionarily Related Weevils to Select Different Grains

by Shaohua Lu, Lingfang Zhang, Yujie Lu, Mingshun Chen and Zhengyan Wang

Insects 2024, 15(5), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15050300 - 23 Apr 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1801 | Correction

Abstract

The Sitophilus zeamais (maize weevil) and Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil) are two insect pests that have caused huge economic losses to stored grains worldwide. It is urgent to develop an environmentally friendly strategy for the control of these destructive pests. Here, the olfactory-mediated selection preference of the two weevil species to three stored grains was analyzed, which should help establish a pull–push system in managing them. Bioassays showed that maize weevil adults prefer to select maize, followed by paddy and wheat, while rice weevil adults mainly migrate towards wheat. Volatile analyses revealed that 2-ethylhexanol, piperitone, and (+)-Δ-cadiene are the major components in volatiles from both maize and wheat, but the abundance of these chemicals is much lower in maize than that in wheat. The volatile limonene was only detected in paddy. Y-tube bioassays suggest that 2-ethylhexanol, piperitone, and (+)-Δ-cadiene were all attractive to both weevils, whereas limonene was attractive only to rice weevils. Overall, maize weevil appeared more sensitive to the tested volatiles based on having much lower effective concentrations of these volatiles needed to attract them. The differences in volatile profiles among the grains and the sensitivity of the two species towards these volatiles may explain the behavioral differences between maize and rice weevils in selecting host grains. The differences in sensitivity of maize and rice weevils towards host volatile components with abundance differences are likely determinants driving the two insect species to migrate towards different host grains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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13 pages, 1474 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ethylene: A Modulator of the Phytohormone-Mediated Insect Herbivory Network in Plants

by Leonel Tarcisio da Cristina Bungala, Chanung Park, José Eulário Lampi Dique, Ramaraj Sathasivam, Su Young Shin and Sang Un Park

Insects 2024, 15(6), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060404 - 1 Jun 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1585

Abstract

Plants have evolved to establish insect herbivory defences by modulating their metabolism, growth, and development. Precise networks of phytohormones are essential to induce those herbivory defences. Gaseous phytohormone ET plays an important role in forming herbivory defences. Its role in insect herbivory is not fully understood, but previous studies have shown that it can both positively and negatively regulate herbivory. This review presents recent findings on crosstalk between ET and other phytohormones in herbivory responses. Additionally, the use of exogenous ETH treatment to induce ET in response to herbivory is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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Other

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2 pages, 141 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Lu et al. Host Volatiles Potentially Drive Two Evolutionarily Related Weevils to Select Different Grains. Insects 2024, 15, 300

by Shaohua Lu, Lingfang Zhang, Yujie Lu, Mingshun Chen and Zhengyan Wang

Insects 2025, 16(2), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020206 - 13 Feb 2025

Viewed by 407

Abstract

In the original publication [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

7 pages, 528 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Olfactory Preferences of Sitophilus zeamais to Cereal- and Legume-Based Pasta

by Pasquale Trematerra, Giacinto Salvatore Germinara and Marco Colacci

Insects 2024, 15(3), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15030167 - 29 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1375

Abstract

We compared the attractiveness of five commercially available Italian macaroni pastas of different shapes (penne, casarecce, and fusilli) made from cereals and/or legumes [100% Triticum durum; 100% Cicer arietinum; 100% Lens esculenta; 50% Triticum durum + 50% Cicer arietinum; 60% Triticum durum + 40% Lens esculenta] to adults of Sitophilus zeamais (L.). A multiple-choice walking bioassay showed that S. zeamais adults were more attracted to cereal than legume pastas. The modified Flit-Track M² trap devices baited with pasta made with 100% T. durum captured an average of 61.4% of the adults released into the olfactometric arena after 7 days. Of the insects tested, pasta made with 100% C. arietinum trapped 3.8%, pasta made with 100% L. esculenta trapped 2.7%, pasta made with 50% T. durum + 50% C. arietinum trapped 4.3%, and pasta made with 60% T. durum + 40% L. esculenta trapped 4.2%. When individually compared, 79.6% of S. zeamais adults chose the Triticum durum pasta. Orientation to 100% Cicer pasta or 100% Lens pasta was not observed. In the choice test, only 37% and 25% were attracted to Triticum and Cicer pastas or Triticum and Lens pasta, respectively. Our results confirm that the low attractiveness of legume pasta is mainly due to the lack of attractant stimuli rather than the emission of repellent compounds. From a practical perspective, it is also interesting to note how mixed pasta decreases the risk of S. zeamais infestation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)

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