Phenotypic plasticity in insect chemical communication: an ecophysiological approach

昆虫化学通讯中的表型可塑性：一种生态生理学方法

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-04287
• 负责人: Evenden, Maya
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=710463
• 关键词: Phenotypic; plasticity; insect; chemical; communication

The goal of this research is to understand factors that drive plasticity in various types of insect chemical communication (mate location, host location). Our study systems are moths (Lepidoptera) in which males compete for females by scramble competition and there is intense selection on the male receiver to be the first to locate a calling female. Intraspecific sex pheromone communication in the Lepidoptera likely evolved from a preadaptation of sensory and orientation mechanisms for locating plant hosts and our research includes investigation into plasticity in response to plant-based chemical cues in addition to conspecific pheromone signals. Plasticity in chemical communication in insects can result from gradual or sudden changes in physiological state. We will assess how variation in physiological state due to insect age/hormone levels, satiation level, and pathogen load influence plasticity in production and response to intra- and interspecific chemical cues. The effect of more immediate changes in physiological state that occur after mating and in response to previous exposure to chemical cues will be assessed in moths with different reproductive strategies. As state-dependent plasticity in chemical communication will interact with environmental conditions to affect odour-mediated flight behaviour, our assessments will include behavioural analyses in the lab and under natural field conditions. Moth study systems will have a range of reproductive strategies (income vs. capital breeders) and adult life history traits (short vs. long-lived; feeders vs. non-feeders) to maximise the ecological traits that should promote plasticity in chemical communication. The importance of phenotypic plasticity in chemical communication of insects remains poorly understood. We will unravel the impact of physiological state of signalers and responders on variation of chemical communication and odour-mediated behaviour under various ecological conditions. Integration of physiological and ecological components that promote plasticity in a neuroecological context will advance our understanding of insect use of environmental information that dictates behaviour and moulds interactions at various levels of biological organization. Further, the moth study systems used in this work are of ecological (native defoliators of the boreal forest) and economic (invasive species) importance so that understanding plasticity of chemical communication will contribute to the development of alternative control strategies that exploit these naturally plastic chemically-mediated behaviours.

本研究的目的是了解驱动各种昆虫化学通讯（配偶定位，寄主定位）可塑性的因素。我们的研究系统是飞蛾（鳞翅目），其中雄性通过争夺竞争来争夺雌性，并且雄性接受者会进行激烈的选择，以便第一个找到发出呼叫的雌性。鳞翅目的种内性信息素交流可能是从定位植物寄主的感觉和定向机制的预适应进化而来的，我们的研究包括对基于植物的化学信号和同种信息素信号的可塑性响应的调查。