Harnessing chemical ecology for improved pest management- advances and future opportunities

Authors: THOMAS, GARETH - Rothamsted Research; Tabanca, Nurhayat

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/22/2025
Publication Date: 5/22/2025
Citation: Thomas, G., Tabanca, N. 2025. Harnessing chemical ecology for improved pest management- advances and future opportunities. Pest Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8883.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8883

Interpretive Summary: Chemical ecology is the study of communications among organisms, and this discipline investigates how naturally occurring chemical signals mediate ecological interactions. These chemical signals aid the interactions among plants, insects, and microbes, and thus could be used to mediate interactions among individuals within a broader community associated with agricultural problems. In these interactions, chemical cues (semiochemicals) could play key roles in the applications of chemical odors in integrated pest management programs. This special issue presents 19 articles published in Pest Management Science from 2023-2025 that report on plant-insect-microbe interactions and microbe-insect interactions. Together, these papers highlight substantial progress in the field of chemical ecology, enhancing our understanding of how chemical interactions between plants, insects, and microorganisms can be harnessed for sustainable pest management. This special issue inspires new ideas for the future of chemical ecology research, highlights opportunities for joint and collaborative approaches, and showcases cutting-edge research that can advance the field in tackling global pest management challenges in agricultural and horticultural crops.

Technical Abstract: Chemical ecology is the study of interactions between organisms across trophic levels that are mediated by naturally occurring chemicals acting in a non-toxic manner. These chemicals are produced by organisms including plants, insects, and microorganisms, enabling them to communicate intra- and inter-specifically. These cues can be exploited for management of pests that affect crops through several mechanisms, including, but not limited to, induced plant defenses against pests, direct suppression of pests, and signaling to beneficial predators/parasitoids for pest control. Identifying the chemical cues (semiochemicals) involved in these biological activities, and advancing our understanding of their biological roles, could enable the development of novel, sustainable tools to increase crop productivity. This special issue presents 19 articles published in Pest Manag. Sci. from 2023-2025 that report on plant-insect-microbe interactions and microbe -insect interactions. Discussed within this editorial is a brief overview of accepted manuscripts from the special issue, highlighting substantial advancements in chemical ecology research, as well as priorities for future research. We hope this special issue inspires new ideas for the future of chemical ecology research, highlights opportunities for joint and collaborative approaches, showcases cutting-edge research that can advance the field forward in tackling global pest management challenges in agricultural and horticultural crops.