The Role of Component Ratio Integrity in Host-Plant Selection: a Chemical and Biological Approach
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University College, London THE ROLE OF COMPONENT RATIO INTEGRITY IN HOST-PLANT SELECTION: A CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL APPROACH. By Sarah Rachael Graves Rothamsted Supervisor* Professor John A. Pickett University College supervisor* Professor Michael H. Abraham CASE (AgriSense) Supervisor: Dr. Owen T. Jones A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University College, London for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 2003 Worked carried out in the Biological Chemistry Division of Rothamsted Research (formerly lACR'Rothamsted), Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ. ProQuest Number: U643202 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest. ProQuest U643202 Published by ProQuest LLC(2016). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Abstract The role of ratio integrity between volatile semiochemicals (behaviour modifying chemicals) in host plant selection was investigated using the pea and bean weevil, Sitona lineatush., as the model insect. The quantification of the attraction of S. lineatus to traps baited with modified ratios of host ( Vicia fabâ) semiochemicals together with synthetic aggregation pheromone was evaluated statistically. The bait mixture contained 3 hexen l ol, 3 hexenyl acetate, 1 octen 3 ol, 2- phenylethanol, beta caryophyllene, benzyl alcohol, alpha terpineol, hexanal, linalool plus the pheromone, 4 methyl 3,5 heptanedione. The results of a physico-chemical properties study were exploited to develop a stable release medium for semiochemicals of S. lineatus. In particular, the Abraham general solvation equation was used to model the transfer properties involved in the evaporation of a compound from a glass vial. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed between the Abraham descriptors and the rate constant for the loss of compound from a glass vial. Though, no utilizahle correlation was found. The performance of the glass vial release medium developed was compared to a polythene closure (“Polyhag”) system. S. lineatus were not significantly attracted to the 9 compound bait mixture in the absence of the aggregation pheromone. When the ratio of (^ 3 hexenyl acetate to (^ 3 hexen"l ol was modified in favour of (.^ 3 hexenyl acetate, the baits became less attractive to S. lineatus. Other minor modifications of the bait mixture were also tested hut found not to decrease the attractiveness of the mixture. The results suggest, and support, the idea that host plant selection involves the detection of ubiquitous compounds and it is the ratios of the key components that are required for specificity. Declaration: I certify that this work has not been accepted in any substance for any degree, and is not concurrently submitted for any degree other than that of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) of University o f London. I also declare that this work is the result o f my own investigations except where other\\ise stated. Sarah Rachael Graves: _______ \ (student) [1 | | Michael Abraham: _________ ' ' ' '_____________ (Principal supervisor) Acknowledgments The author wishes to thank The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for their financial support via a studentship. The author also wishes to thank AgriSense BOS Limited for their CASE studentship. The author is especially appreciative of all her supervisors • Prof. John Pickett of Rothamsted Research, Prof. Mike Abraham of University College London (UCL), Dr. Owen Jones of AgriSense BCS Limited and her day to day supervisors, Dr. Keith Chamberlain and Prof. Lester Wadhams of Rothamsted Research. In addition, the author’s gratitude is extended to many staff members of Rothamsted Research. In particular. The Biological Chemistry divisions staff members (both past and present) for their wisdom and insight. Special thanks are given to Lesley Smart and Janet Martin for their fieldwork labours. Sincere thanks are also extended to all past and present members of Prof. Mike Abraham’s research group in the Department of Chemistry at UCL and to members of staff at AgriSense BCS Ltd. My office mates deserve special mention - Sarah Dewhirst (“Syd”), Emma Napper and Susan Atkinson. You all live in a special place in my heart. Thanks for being there with never-ending laughter, and friendship. I wish to dedicate this thesis to my family and to my partner, Jon, without whom I would never have achieved so much. TABLE OF CONTENTS .........................................................................................................................................Page Title page ............................................................................................................................... 1 Abstract .................................................................................................................................2 Declaration .............................................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................4 Table of contents .................................................................................................................... 5 List of figures........................................................................................................................10 List of equations ....................................................................................................................12 List of tables .........................................................................................................................13 Chapter 1. AN INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL ECOLOGY 15 36 1.1 SIGNAL CHEMICALS - SEMIOCHEMICALS............................................................15 1.2. INSECT PERCEPTION OFSEMIOCHEMICALS........................................................ 18 1.2.1. The sense of smeU or olfaction .......................................................................... 18 1.2.2. Methods used to investigate olfaction ...............................................................23 1.3. PLANT VOLATILE COMPONENTS...........................................................................23 1.4. HOST PLANT SELECTION........................................................................................24 1.4.1. Other factors affecting host plant selection ......................................................27 1.4.2. Avoidance of unsuitable plants .........................................................................27 1.4.3. Modem host plant selection hypotheses ...........................................................28 Chapter 1 references ............................................................................................................ 30 Chapter 2. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF SEMIOCHEMICALS IN PEST CONTROL.......................................................................................................................37-50 2.1. EXPLOITATION OF SEMIOCHEMICALS.................................................................37 2.1.1. Monitoring ........................................................................................................ 37 2.1.2. Mass trapping .................................................................................................. 38 2.1.3. Mass trapping - lure and kill ...........................................................................38 2.1.4. Mating disruption ............................................................................................. 39 2.2. USE OF SEMIOCHEMICALS IN INTEGRATED CONTROL MEASURES............... 40 2.3. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PLANT AND INSECT DERIVED SEMI0CHEMICALS41 2.3.1. Synergism of aggregation pheromone activity by green leaf volatiles .............. 41 2.3.2. Synergism of aggregation pheromone activity by substances other than green leaf volatiles ......................................................................................................................... 42 2.4. CONTROLLED RELEASE OF SEMIOCHEMICALS..................................................43 Chapter 2 references ............................................................................................................ 45 Chapter 3. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TECHNIQUES USED TO ISOLATE SEMIOCHEMICALS, WITH SPECIFIC EMPHASIS ON HEADSPACE ANALYSIS... 51-01 3.1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 51 3.2. BASIC ANALYSIS OF PLANT VOLATILES ..............................................................51 3.2.1. Adsorption ........................................................................................................ 53 3.2.2. Breakthrough volume ....................................................................................... 55 3.2.3. Comparison of methods .................................................................................... 55 3.3. BASIC ANALYSIS OF INSECT VOLATILES..............................................................56