Current research development of chemical ecology in the Asia-Pacific Region

Authors: MCCORMICK, ANDREA - Biosecurity New Zealand; HEE KAY-WEI, ALVIN - Universiti Putra Malaysia; Zhu, Junwei

Submitted to: Journal of Chemical Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/30/2024
Publication Date: 12/30/2024
Citation: Mccormick, A.C., Hee Kay-Wei, A., Zhu, J.J. 2024. Current research development of chemical ecology in the Asia-Pacific Region. Journal of Chemical Ecology. Vol 50 / pg 851-857. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-024-01549-z.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-024-01549-z

Interpretive Summary: Chemical ecology studies the unique chemical language organisms use to interact with their hosts, environments, and within their own conspecific species. It emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the field, which combines biology, chemistry, ecology, and evolution. Since the first discovery of insect pheromone, bombykol in silk moths, there have been over 3,000 insect pheromones identified and categorized for various functions such as mating, aggregation, alarm, and trail-following (from the Pherobase, https://pherobase.com/). This rich knowledge gathered through chemical ecology is vital for biodiversity conservation and managing ecosystems sustainably. It has further marked a pivotal advancement in chemical ecology and has contributed to the development of environmentally friendly pest control methods. The present paper summarizes the selected 21 research papers and review articles focusing on semiochemical research and its applications in pest management, as well as basic mechanism understanding in chemical ecology.

Technical Abstract: This special issues covers 4 major sections: 1. Pheromones and cuticular hydrocarbons: identification and applications 2. Semiochemical application in fruit fly control 3. Allelochemicals in multitrophic interactions 4. Novel chemicals from vertebrate species The papers in this special issue showcase the diversity of the Asia Pacific Region, with contributions from over 50 researchers from different nationalities and disciplines. They take us through a journey of topics of interest to the region showing unique advances in the identification and use of pheromones and cuticular hydrocarbons, fruit fly behavior and attractants, multitrophic interactions and novel chemicals from vertebrate species. They demonstrate that chemical ecology is a strong and growing discipline in the region with enormous potential.