Author
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Jewett, Darryl |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Many sex pheromones and other attractants that have been identified belong to terrestrial insects considered pests in agro-ecosystems. Despite their pervasiveness among insects in general, sex pheromones of aquatic insects have received little attention until recently when the life history of several species has become well documented and included as a parameter for water quality monitoring. The strong phylogenetic relationship between some crop pests and some aquatic insects has facilitated the identification of sex pheromones for several aquatic insects. The structural nature of sex pheromones used by caddisflies have already been revealed because of similarities with the Lepidoptera for which the sex pheromones of many species have already been identified. These sex pheromones could enjoy application as a tool to monitor water quality, which would be a practical extension of their currently utility in managing crop pests. Just as monitoring with their sex pheromones has already been integrated successfully with previously existing crop management practices, monitoring populations of aquatic insects with their sex pheromones could supplement existing water quality monitoring practices. Technical Abstract: Understanding the chemical ecology of the Trichoptera has and will continue to benefit from the order's close phylogenetic relationship with the Lepidoptera, and could expedite the integration of pheromone technology into current water quality monitoring programs. Use of pheromone technology already surmounts the obstactle of monitoring the progress of a particular species and its habitat over an extended duration in agro-ecosystems. Pheromone-traps are still many times more sensitive and specific than other sampling methods. Furthermore, the obstacle of poorly developed taxonomy for immature stages would be surmounted because many aquatic insects that are good indicators of water quality are terrestrial as adults. Experience acquired from attempts to directly control insect pests of agro-ecosystems with pheromones and other attractants dictates that pheromone technology for monitoring water quality supplement current methods, not replace them. Because it is already established in the entomological community, is inexpensive, species specific, and requires little taxonomic expertise, pheromone-trapping addresses many concerns expressed about introducing new technology to water quality monitoring programs. |
