Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control
Information from the course leader
2022-01-11
Welcome to the course page for BI1346
We hope you find the information you need to help you decide to join us learning about insect chemical ecology and its uses toward pest control.
Please feel free to contact sharon.hill@slu.se (concerning course content-related issues) and/or karoline.schua@slu.se (concerning course administrative issues) if you still have questions that are not answered here. Both the schedule and the literature list are preliminary, but you can expect that any changes will be minor.
The Canvas page will act as the main course page for information once the course starts. Looking forward to meeting with you to learn more about the Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
BI1346-30128 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for BI1346
Academic year 2023/2024
Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control (BI1346-30106)
2024-01-15 - 2024-03-19
Academic year 2022/2023
Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control (BI1346-30126)
2023-01-16 - 2023-03-21
Academic year 2020/2021
Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control (BI1346-30151)
2021-01-18 - 2021-03-23
Academic year 2019/2020
Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control (BI1346-30078)
2020-01-20 - 2020-03-24
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
BI1346 Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control, 15.0 Credits
Kemisk ekologi för hållbar kontroll av skadeinsekterSubjects
Chemistry Biology Biology ChemistryEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| insect-insect interactions | 3.0 | 0302 |
| insect-host interactions | 3.0 | 0303 |
| chemosensory systems | 2.0 | 0304 |
| literature seminar | 1.0 | 0305 |
| pilot project report | 3.0 | 0306 |
| pilot project presentation | 3.0 | 0307 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits, of which at least 30 credits in natural sciences and English 6.Objectives
The overall aim of the course is to demonstrate the current use and future potential of chemical ecology in the development of tools for use in sustainable insect monitoring and control.
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
discuss how semiochemicals can be used to increase the sustainability of plant protection programs, in relation to UN sustainability goals
describe the common techniques and workflows used to identify relevant semiochemicals and to develop these signals into monitoring and control tools
discuss the complex odour-driven interactions among trophic levels in the context of plant protection
explain the influence of chemical stimuli on insect behaviour from an ecological and evolutionary perspective
comprehend and discuss relevant scientific articles within chemical ecology
plan and design an experiment and implement methods relevant for the sustainable insect control
formulate and write a scientific report based on newly generated data, and
evaluate scientific findings by both self-evaluation and by peer-review.
Content
This course will present the main topics in chemical ecology in a sustainable crop protection perspective. The course will introduce to chemical ecology and how insect behaviour is controlled by chemical stimuli. We will discuss how insects send and receive chemical signals, and how these signals are classified. Together, we will investigate examples of chemical signals that have been developed into tools that modify a pest insect’s behaviour and provides protection to important crops. We will delve into how these tools have been developed and explore the potential for novel odour and taste-mediated control method development.
Topics include:
insect sense of smell - morphology and function
fundamental smell and taste chemistry, i.e. isolation and chemical identification of behaviour-activating substances
how chemical substances, e.g. pheromones and plant compounds, affect insect behaviour
common techniques and workflows in chemical ecology
how pheromones and plant compounds can be used within crop protection
how learning in insects impacts control methods.
Scheduled literature seminars, laboratory practicals, practical project work and presentations are compulsory.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
The examination consists of written examination plus written and oral reporting of practical tasks and laboratory work. To pass the course, a passing grade in each of the examinations as well as the assignment work is required, as is the approved participation in compulsory course components.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
Basic chemistry and basic ecology is recommended.Responsible department
Department of Plant Protection Biology
Further information
Grading criteria
Grading criteria for the course BI1346 Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control
Grading scale
5: Pass with Distinction, 4: Pass with Credit, 3: Pass, U: Fail
The requirements for attaining different grades are described in the course assessment criteria which are contained in a supplement to the course syllabus. Current information on assessment criteria shall be made available at the start of the course.
Formats and requirements for examination
The evaluation consists of three written tests plus written and oral reporting of practical tasks and laboratory work. To pass the course, a passing grade in each of the tests as well as the assignment work is required, as is the approved participation in compulsory course components.
- The tests are modular, in which =50% is a pass. A fail requires re-evaluation via test or substituted assignment (where appropriate).
- If the student fails a test, the examiner may give the student a supplementary assignment, provided this is possible and there is reason to do so.
- If the student has been granted special educational support because of a disability, the examiner has the right to offer the student an adapted test, or provide an alternative assessment.
- If changes are made to this course syllabus, or if the course is closed, SLU shall decide on transitional rules for examination of students admitted under this syllabus but who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline. For more information on this, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor's and Master's level.
Laboratory activities (or substituted assignments, in the event that students are prohibited from attending campus in person) and literature seminars are compulsory components of the course.
Lectures are not compulsory, but as the majority of the testable information will be conveyed during these sessions, attendance is strongly encouraged.
Litterature list
- The scent of the fly Författare: Becher et al. 2018 [The scent of the fly ] (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10886-018-0950-4)1) Experience-based modulation of behavioural responses to plant volatiles and other sensory cues in insect herbivores Författare: Anderson and Anton, 2014 [Experience-based modulation of behavioural responses to plant volatiles and other sensory cues in insect herbivores ] (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pce.12342)1) Herbivore-induced plant volatiles in natural and agricultural ecosystems: open questions and future prospects Författare: Gish et al., 2015 [Herbivore-induced plant volatiles in natural and agricultural ecosystems: open questions and future prospects ] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214574515000516) Kommentar: SLU has access to this publication, so if you are at home, make sure that you have your VPN turned on.
- Push-pull: chemical ecology-based integrated pest management technology. Författare: Khan et al., 2016 [Push-pull: chemical ecology-based integrated pest management technology. ] (https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10886-016-0730-y.pdf)1) Effects of population-related variation in plant primary and secondary metabolites on aboveground and belowground multitrophic interactions Författare: van Geem et al., 2016 [Effects of population-related variation in plant primary and secondary metabolites on aboveground and belowground multitrophic interactions ] (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00049-016-0222-0)1) Pollinators and herbivores interactively shape selection on strawberry defence and attraction Författare: Egan et al., 2021 [Pollinators and herbivores interactively shape selection on strawberry defence and attraction ] (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/evl3.262)1) Age-dependent regulation of host seeking in Anopheles coluzzii Författare: Omondi et al., 2019 [Age-dependent regulation of host seeking in Anopheles coluzzii ] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-46220-w.pdf)1) The Role of Symbiotic Microbes in Insect Invasions Författare: Lu et al., 2016 [The Role of Symbiotic Microbes in Insect Invasions ] (https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-121415-032050) Kommentar: SLU has access to this publication, so if you are at home, make sure that you have your VPN turned on.
- Mate recognition and reproductive isolation in the sibling species Spodoptera littoralis and Spodoptera litura Författare: Saveer et al., 2014 [Mate recognition and reproductive isolation in the sibling species Spodoptera littoralis and Spodoptera litura ] (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2014.00018/full) Kommentar: SLU has access to this publication, so if you are at home, make sure that you have your VPN turned on.
- The chemical ecology of plant-pollinator interactions: recent advances and future directions Författare: Parachnowitsch and Manson, 2015 [The chemical ecology of plant-pollinator interactions: recent advances and future directions ] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214574515000231) Kommentar: SLU has access to this publication, so if you are at home, make sure that you have your VPN turned on.
- Semiochemical diversity diverts bark beetle attacks from Norway spruce edges Författare: Schiebe et al., 2011 [Semiochemical diversity diverts bark beetle attacks from Norway spruce edges ] (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1439-0418.2011.01624.x) Kommentar: SLU has access to this publication, so if you are at home, make sure that you have your VPN turned on.
- A Drosophila female pheromone elicits species-specific long-range attraction via an olfactory channel with dual specificity for sex and food Författare: Lebreton et al. 2017 [A Drosophila female pheromone elicits species-specific long-range attraction via an olfactory channel with dual specificity for sex and food ] (https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-017-0427-x)1) Evolution of Insect Olfaction Författare: Hansson and Stensmyr, 2011 [Evolution of Insect Olfaction ] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627311010026)1) Plasticity of olfactory-guided behaviour and its neurobiological basis: lessons from moths and locusts Författare: Anton et al., 2007 [Plasticity of olfactory-guided behaviour and its neurobiological basis: lessons from moths and locusts ] (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1570-7458.2007.00516.x)1) Access to the odor world: olfactory receptors and their role for signal transduction in insects Författare: Fleischer et al., 2018 [Access to the odor world: olfactory receptors and their role for signal transduction in insects ] (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00018-017-2627-5)1) The human odorant receptor OR10A6 is tuned to the pheromone of the commensal fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Författare: Frey et al. 2021 [ The human odorant receptor OR10A6 is tuned to the pheromone of the commensal fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. ] (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.07.414714v1)1) Insect pheromones: An overview of function, form, and discovery Författare: Yew and Chung, 2015 [Insect pheromones: An overview of function, form, and discovery ] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163782715000272?casa_token=BZVVQsN7gTwAAAAA:rJlcR3I8aw_td9q9t56_N5Q_diN08mTn_vluHA_yvkf-puiiPucRTe6DJ2ZxgWSz9R5Xdk7i7N4) Kommentar: SLU has access to this publication, so if you are at home, make sure that you have your VPN turned on.
- Chemical convergence between plants andinsects: biosynthetic origins and functions of common secondary metabolites Författare: Beran et al., 2019 [Chemical convergence between plants andinsects: biosynthetic origins and functions of common secondary metabolites ] (https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/nph.15718)1) Modern approaches to study plant–insect interactions in chemical ecology Författare: Dyer et al., 2018 [Modern approaches to study plant–insect interactions in chemical ecology ] (https://internt.slu.se/canvaslogin) Kommentar: Log in to Canvas to see the paper.
- Role of Semiochemicals in Integrated Pest Management Författare: Smart et al., 2013 [Role of Semiochemicals in Integrated Pest Management ] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123985293000075) Kommentar: SLU has access to this publication, so if you are at home, make sure that you have your VPN turned on.
- Host-plant selection: how to find a host plant Författare: Schoonhoven Chpt 6 [Host-plant selection: how to find a host plant ] (https://slunik.slu.se/kursfiler/BI1346/30078.1920/06-Schoonhoven-Chap06.pdf) Kommentar: Reference material (not required reading).
- Host-plant selection: when to accept a plant Författare: Schoonhoven Chpt 7 [Host-plant selection: when to accept a plant ] (https://slunik.slu.se/kursfiler/BI1346/30078.1920/07-Schoonhoven-Chap07.pdf) Kommentar: Reference material (not required reading).