Mechanisms of Olfaction in Insects - ResearchSpace@Auckland ...
Mechanisms of Olfaction in Insects - ResearchSpace@Auckland ...
Mechanisms of Olfaction in Insects - ResearchSpace@Auckland ...
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1.1 General overview<br />
1<br />
General Introduction<br />
<strong>Olfaction</strong> is the ability <strong>of</strong> organisms to detect and discrim<strong>in</strong>ate volatile compounds<br />
from the vast range <strong>of</strong> odours present <strong>in</strong> the environment. In animals, this sensory<br />
ability is used for such behaviours as to f<strong>in</strong>d a mate, locate food sources and detect<br />
enemies. Chemical cues are used extensively <strong>in</strong> animals as a means <strong>of</strong> communication<br />
both with<strong>in</strong> species (<strong>in</strong>traspecific) and between species (<strong>in</strong>terspecific) (Hartlieb and<br />
Anderson, 1999). Intraspecific chemical signals or pheromones are released by<br />
members <strong>of</strong> the same species and can be recognised as either releasers or primers.<br />
Releasers are pheromones that take effect immediately, for example, as <strong>in</strong> k<strong>in</strong><br />
recognition, mat<strong>in</strong>g stimulation, act<strong>in</strong>g as alarms aga<strong>in</strong>st dangers, such as predators by<br />
elicit<strong>in</strong>g aggregation, <strong>in</strong>fluenc<strong>in</strong>g oviposition, territory, trail, recruitment <strong>of</strong> new<br />
workers, nest build<strong>in</strong>g, and lead<strong>in</strong>g to food sources. Primers are pheromones that<br />
cause changes <strong>in</strong> development <strong>of</strong> the organism, for example, sexual maturation,<br />
development and physiological state (Howse, 1998). Interspecific chemical signals,<br />
which are released by one species and detected by another, can either be a kairomone<br />
whereby the signal benefits the receiver or an allomone, which is beneficial to the<br />
sender, or both. Examples <strong>of</strong> kairomones <strong>in</strong>clude pheromones, tox<strong>in</strong>s, and<br />
metabolites, used <strong>in</strong> host/prey location and floral scents (<strong>of</strong> host plants and food<br />
source). Allomones <strong>in</strong>clude defence secretions, repellents and floral scents (Jones,<br />
1998).