Abstract

Selection of suitable host plants is essential for the development and survival of herbivorous insects. Here we address behavioural mechanisms and the role of olfactory cues governing host choice, and their adaptive significance in complicated ecological contexts, with a focus on polyphagous insects. We also consider how recent developments in the study of olfactory systems of insects can provide a functional description of physiological mechanisms behind host plant choice. This may apply from the broader evolutionary history and local adaptations of olfactory receptor genes, to the underlying neural mechanisms behind innate host preferences and experience-based plasticity in host plant choice.

Published in

Current Opinion in Insect Science
2015, Volume: 8, pages: 1-7

SLU Authors

• Carrasco, David

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Larsson, Mattias

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Anderson, Peter

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2015.01.014

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/68682