Alarm Pheromones—Chemical Signaling in Response to Danger

Verheggen, François; Haubruge, Éric; Mescher, Mark C.

doi:10.1016/s0083-6729(10)83009-2

Cited by 69 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…The binding properties of three classical pea aphid OBPs ( ApisOBP1 , ApisOBP3 and ApisOBP8 ) have been investigated using 12 chemical compounds [29]. Research has confirmed that OBPs are keys in the perception of (E)-β-farnesene (EβF), an aphid alarm pheromone widely used in olfaction-based approaches to control aphid populations [30]. The chemical can interfere with an insect’s ability to find suitable hosts or olfactory cues regarding natural enemies, and has been used successfully in the “push–pull” pest control strategy [31, 32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and Expression Analysis of Candidate Odorant-Binding Protein and Chemosensory Protein Genes by Antennal Transcriptome of Sitobion avenae

et al. 2016

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Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) of aphids are thought to be responsible for the initial molecular interactions during olfaction that mediate detection of chemical signals. Analysis of the diversity of proteins involved comprises critical basic research work that will facilitate the development of sustainable pest control strategies. To help us better understand differences in the olfactory system between winged and wingless grain aphids, we constructed an antennal transcriptome from winged and wingless Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), one of the most serious pests of cereal fields worldwide. Among the 133,331 unigenes in the antennal assembly, 13 OBP and 5 CSP putative transcripts were identified with 6 OBP and 3 CSP sequences representing new S. avenae annotations. We used qPCR to examine the expression profile of these genes sets across S. avenae development and in various tissues. We found 7 SaveOBPs and 1 SaveCSP were specifically or significantly elevated in antennae compared with other tissues, and that some transcripts (SaveOBP8, SaveCSP2 and SaveCSP5) were abundantly expressed in the legs of winged or wingless aphids. The expression levels of the SaveOBPs and SaveCSPs varied depending on the developmental stage. Possible physiological functions of these genes are discussed. Further molecular and functional studies of these olfactory related genes will explore their potential as novel targets for controlling S. avenae.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and Expression Analysis of Candidate Odorant-Binding Protein and Chemosensory Protein Genes by Antennal Transcriptome of Sitobion avenae

et al. 2016

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“…It has been established for a few decades that animals (from insects to mammals) are able to communicate through body “odor,” not only reproductive state, but also socially relevant emotions like alarm [1], fear [2], aggression [3], anxiety [4]. These chemosensory signals (pheromones) induce corresponding physiological and behavioral adaptations within surrounding conspecifics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Gender Differences in the Perception of Conspecific Alarm Chemosensory Cues

Rǎdulescu

Mujica‐Parodi

2013

PLoS ONE

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It has previously been established that, in threatening situations, animals use alarm pheromones to communicate danger. There is emerging evidence of analogous chemosensory “stress” cues in humans. For this study, we collected alarm and exercise sweat from “donors,” extracted it, pooled it and presented it to 16 unrelated “detector” subjects undergoing fMRI. The fMRI protocol consisted of four stimulus runs, with each combination of stimulus condition and donor gender represented four times. Because olfactory stimuli do not follow the canonical hemodynamic response, we used a model-free approach. We performed minimal preprocessing and worked directly with block-average time series and step-function estimates. We found that, while male stress sweat produced a comparably strong emotional response in both detector genders, female stress sweat produced a markedly stronger arousal in female than in male detectors. Our statistical tests pinpointed this gender-specificity to the right amygdala (strongest in the superficial nuclei). When comparing the olfactory bulb responses to the corresponding stimuli, we found no significant differences between male and female detectors. These imaging results complement existing behavioral evidence, by identifying whether gender differences in response to alarm chemosignals are initiated at the perceptual versus emotional level. Since we found no significant differences in the olfactory bulb (primary processing site for chemosensory signals in mammals), we infer that the specificity in responding to female fear is likely based on processing meaning, rather than strength, of chemosensory cues from each gender.

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“…The significant decrease in locomotory activity by dispersers when exposed to soldiers’ anal droplets can be interpreted as an adaptive response because a slower evasive behaviour could benefit their fitness (Verheggen et al. ). Although the mean time spent in the zone could suggest a potential attraction, it is also true that this was not reflected in the cumulative time spent inside the zone, as would be expected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By analogy, soldiers should perform more aggressively and with a more alert searching behaviour in the quest for enemies (Blum ; Bell ; Verheggen et al. ), which can be translated into larger distances moved. We are aware that the latter could be interpreted as an effect of chaotic fleeing as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for Caste Differences in Anal Droplet Alarm Pheromone Production and Responses in the Eusocial Thrips Kladothrips intermedius

et al. 2013

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Thrips (Thysanoptera) are tiny insects that produce anal secretions when threatened. Several studies have shown that, depending on the species, the droplets may contain alarm pheromones and/or repellents against enemies. In the eusocial gall‐inducing thrips Kladothrips intermedius both larvae and adults produce such droplets. There are two castes of adults in this species, soldiers (the sub‐fertile and gall‐bound defenders) and dispersers (winged and capable of initiating a gall). We tested the proclivity of secreting anal droplets by the two castes and whether the anal droplets induce different behavioural responses in relation to the emitter–receiver's caste in a contact chemoreception bioassay. Although secretion patterns were similar between castes, exposure to anal droplets emitted by different castes elicited different behavioural responses in adults in the bioassay. When exposed to soldiers’ anal droplets, dispersers significantly reduced the distance moved while soldiers significantly increased the distance moved, compared to when they were exposed to hexane control. In contrast, no differences in the distance moved were observed for any caste when exposed to dispersers’ anal droplets versus hexane control. Increased activity in soldiers when exposed to their own anal droplets is a predicted response to enhance the overall defence of the gall when under threat, whereas dispersers should slow down their activity when exposed to such ‘warning signal’. Thus, the behavioural data indicate that the anal droplets emitted by soldiers are likely to contain an alarm pheromone.

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Alarm Pheromones—Chemical Signaling in Response to Danger

Cited by 69 publications

References 138 publications

Identification and Expression Analysis of Candidate Odorant-Binding Protein and Chemosensory Protein Genes by Antennal Transcriptome of Sitobion avenae

Identification and Expression Analysis of Candidate Odorant-Binding Protein and Chemosensory Protein Genes by Antennal Transcriptome of Sitobion avenae

Human Gender Differences in the Perception of Conspecific Alarm Chemosensory Cues

Evidence for Caste Differences in Anal Droplet Alarm Pheromone Production and Responses in the Eusocial Thrips Kladothrips intermedius

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