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Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting North Central Branch
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Incorporation of the emerging field of-chemical- ecology into comprehensive pest management practices is becoming more practical as our understanding is extended concerning the chemical interactions and ecology of crops and their pests in dynamic agroecosystems. Opportunities then unfold to modify spatial and/or developmental production of chemicals in crops to achieve partial or complete suppression of pests such as the European corn borer. Promising leads found in the chemical extracts of B96 and related inbreds suggest that there are natural chemical oviposition deterrents in maize. Application of these traits in a field context may make it difficult for the European corn borer to assess chemical emissions of suitable host plant locations or it may change the composition of insect populations. Disruption of oviposition could be another valuable component in sustainable pest management and complement current biointensive integrated management for European corn borer in maize agroecosystems. How the variable chemical emissions of maize plants modulate insect pest behaviors is not yet clear, but there is evidence that suggests volatiles released by maize also attract predators and parasites. Overlapping the manipulation of maize chemical signals to enhance activity of beneficial predators and parasites with reduction in attack by pests such as the European corn borer will complement existing pest management systems and can create a powerful new facet in agricultural management worldwide. |
