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                            Library & Multimedia
 Microbial volatile emissions as arthropod semiochemicals
NCJ Number
              307074

Author(s)
          Thomas Seth Davis;
                        Tawni L. Crippen;
                        Richard W. Hofstetter;
                        Jeffery K. Tomberlin
Date Published

2013
Length
              20 pages
Annotation
              In this paper, the authors examine the prevalence of insect olfactory responses to emissions from microorganisms inhabiting their sensory environment, and suggest that these signals represent evolutionarily reliable infochemicals.
Abstract
              The authors provide a synthesis of the literature describing biochemical interactions between microorganisms and insects by way of microbial volatile organic compound (MVOC) production. They evaluated the functionality and ecological context of MVOC signals, and explored important metabolic pathways involved in MVOC production. The cosmopolitan distribution of microorganisms creates a context for frequent, and frequently overlooked, insect responses to microbial emissions. There are numerous instances of MVOCs being closely associated with insect feeding behaviors, but some MVOCs are also powerful repellants. Emissions from microorganisms *in situ* may signal aspects of habitat suitability or potential exposure to entomopathogens. In some ecosystems, bacterial or fungal volatiles can also incite insect aggregations, or MVOCs can resemble sexual pheromones that elicit mating and oviposition behaviors from responding insects. A single microorganism or MVOC can have different effects on insect behaviors, especially across species, ontogenies, and habitats. There appears to be a multipartite basis for insect responses to MVOCs, and complex tritrophic interactions can result from the production of MVOCs. Many biochemical pathways for behaviorally active volatile production by microbial species are conserved across large taxonomic groupings of microorganisms. In addition, there is substantial functional redundancy in MVOCs: fungal tissues commonly produce polyketides and short-chain alcohols, whereas bacterial tissues tend to be more commonly associated with amines and pyrazines. The authors hypothesize that insect olfactory responses to emissions from microorganisms inhabiting their sensory environment are much more common than currently recognized, and that these signals represent evolutionarily reliable infochemicals. Insect chemoreception of microbial volatiles may contribute to the formation of neutral, beneficial, or even harmful symbioses and provide considerable insight into the evolution of insect behavioral responses to volatile compounds. (Publisher Abstract Provided)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2010-DN-BX-K243


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)


  
  
        
  Award
        Development and Validation of Standard Operating Procedures for Measuring Microbial Populations for Estimating a Postmortem Interval
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2013
    
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