Semiochemistry of the Scarabaeoidea.
The superfamily Scarabaeoidea comprises a large and diverse monophyletic group. Members share ancestral characteristics, but often exhibit considerable differences in their ecology, physiology, or mating strategies. A large number of species are regarded as pests of crop or amenity plants, while others are beneficial to humans and even may be extremely rare as a result of anthropogenic activities. A significant number of chemical ecology-based studies have been conducted with the Scarabaeoidea in order to characterize semiochemicals influencing their behavior, such as pheromones and plant-derived allelochemicals. These may be used either to control or preserve populations of the beetles, depending upon pest or beneficial status. This paper is a review of the role and identity of the semiochemicals of the Scarabaeoidea, with comments on possible future research and applied opportunities in the field of chemical ecology.
Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK, joci0617@gmail.com.
József
J
Vuts
Zoltán
Z
Imrei
Michael A
MA
Birkett
John A
JA
Pickett
Christine M
CM
Woodcock
Miklós
M
Tóth
D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D004463:Ecology; D007300:Insect Control; D010675:Pheromones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D010675:Pheromones