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Key chemicals commonly used as aphid sex pheromones and in plant defence may be produced in a similar way by both groups of organisms - a finding which opens the door to better pest control methods.

The route by which plants synthesise these iridoid nepetalactones - produced to deter insects feeding on them - has been well studied in economically important and medicinal plants such as snapdragon, periwinkle, catnip and the European olive.

Now researchers at Rothamsted, along with colleagues at the Universities of Nottingham and Cardiff, have reported how the pea aphid, a major pest of pea and bean crops, and forage crops such as clover and alfalfa, mimics the way that such plants make these compounds before using them as sex pheromones to attract males in the mating season.

These same sex pheromones are also used to hunt down aphids by their natural enemies such as parasitic wasps and lacewings, meaning the findings are highly relevant to biological pest control.

The study lead, Dr Mike Birkett, said the research could lead to man-made nepetalactones being deployed to protect a diverse range of arable and horticultural crops.

"Understanding the way in which aphids make their sex pheromones will help us identify the enzymes involved in their production, and this could lead to making the nepetalactones more efficiently, quickly and at scale using industrial biotechnology.”

Chemistry, the team describe using a library of isotopically-labelled precursors as ‘molecular probes’ to show which molecules were used by the pea aphid as the basis for sex pheromone production, and which weren’t.

Despite access to alternative starter compounds, they found the biochemical pathway to be the same - using the same precursor molecules in both plants and insects.

Co-author Dr David Withall, said: Sex pheromones that attract and repel pests and can recruit natural enemies for biocontrol are becoming increasingly important in the management of insect pests on crops.

“Aphids are major crop pests around the globe, and a number of other aphid species that cause major losses in cereal, oilseed rape, vegetable, salad and fruit crops use these same sex pheromones.”

Publication
Contacts

Dr Mike Birkett

Biological/Organic Chemist

Dr David Withall

Biological and Synthesis Chemist

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Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking discoveries in areas as diverse as crop management, statistical interpretation and soil health. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative approach to developing innovative farm practice.
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The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.