Pheromone Research Articles

EFFECTS OF PERFUSION OF TESTICULAR FRACTIONS ON BRAIN CATECHOLAMINES IN THE FEMALE CATFISH HETEROPNEUSTES FOSSILIS

Fish have highly developed chemosensory and chemical signaling systems as they inhabit aquatic environment devoid of light but rich in dissolved compounds. Four major classes of chemicals have been identified as specific olfactory stimuli namely amino acids, sex steroids, bile acids or salts and prostaglandins. Pheromones are defined as substances which are secreted to the outside by an individual, in which they release specific reaction; for eg; a definite behavior or a developmental process in conspecifics[1]. In many teleost species, pheromones play an important role in various events of reproductionand spawning [7,4]. The gonads of teleosts secrete pheromonally active substances, most likely steroidal glucuronides, which can activate the neuroendocrine axis to release gonadotropin–II. In the African catfish, strong olfactory sensitivity to steroid conjugate fraction has been attributed to glucuronides synthesized by the seminal vesicle [3,2]. It was reported that the testicular homogenate or its, glucuronide fraction [6] and the seminal vesicle fluid or its glucuronide fraction [2] induced either ovulation or behavior effects in zebrafish and African catfish, respectively. The testis of the

Male Tilapia Urinary Pheromone Induces Endocrine Sex Responses in Conspecific Females

Male Tilapia Urinary Pheromone Induces Endocrine Sex Responses in Conspecific Females

Use of pheromone traps against Tomicus piniperda and Tomicus minor in the Kazbegi National Park, Georgian Republic

In the forested lands of Georgia Kazbegi National Park, some kinds of insects have been significantly harming the bark beetle of trees as their population increases. The most harmful species within the 100 ha area of the national park, where Pinus sylvestris L. var.hamata (Steven) (Scots Pine) trees settle have been identified as Tomicus piniperda (L.) and Tomicus minor (Hartig) using bio-technic method (pheromone traps), has been implemented against them. The damages of T. piniperda and T. minor were measured from all the Scots Pine in Kazbegi National Park in 2008. One of the newly developed control methods used in the field with intensive T. piniperda and T. minor populations is the bio-technic method. Prepared pheromone traps were hung up on trees located in various places and captured insects were counted and the results recorded in 2008. T. piniperdaand T. minor trapped in pheromone traps, hung from the pines of the Scots Pine outbreak area were significantly greater in study area (109.5±2.1 and 118.2±1.8 beetle/trap, both species respectively). Key words: Tomicus piniperda, Tomicus minor, pheromone trials, Kazbegi National Park, Georgia.

Fighters egged on by pheromones

Fighters egged on by pheromones

Dynamics of Some Lepidopteran Pests in Vegetable Crop in the Mureş Floodplain Area

The potential of biotechnical using sex pheromones as monitoring and control tool was investigated in this experiment. The lepidopteran species identified and monitored in experimental plots from Vegetable Research and Development Station Iernut was diamondback moth Plutella xylostella, cabbage moth Mamestra brassicae, gamma moth Autographa gamma and cotton bollworm Heliothis (Helicoverpa) armigera. If in the first year in the baited sticky traps was captured hundred of moths' males, in the second year population was much lower, a reason for using pheromones in IPM techniques for protecting vegetables crops.

Seasonal occurrence of major moth pests and their environmental friendly control in pear orchard

The changes in major moth populations were monitored by sex pheromone traps in pear orchards at Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon from 2008 to 2010. Among four major moths, Grapholita molesta and Caposina sasakii occurred most frequently. Their occurrences peaked 2 to 3 times during the growing season from May to September. G. molesta was exceptional, occurring until September. For the environmentally-friendly control of these moths, 9 control materials including insect pathogenic bacteria and environmentally-friendly agricultural materials, were examined on the larva of 4 kinds of moth and sprayed on pear leaves in the field. As the generalized results of bioassay, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and Sophora flavescens extract were shown to have better control effects than any other control material.

Correction: Pheromonal and Behavioral Cues Trigger Male-to-Female Aggression in Drosophila

The first author's name is cited incorrectly. The correct citation is: Fernandez MP, Chan Y-B, Yew JY, Billeter J-C, Dreisewerd K, et al. (2010) Pheromonal and Behavioral Cues Trigger Male-to-Female Aggression in Drosophila. PLoS Biol 8(11): e1000541. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1000541

Relations between air temperatures and mating behaviour of Spodoptera litura adults in nighttime in the tobacco field

Because it was previously shown that nocturnal moth larval behavior is influenced by both circadian rhythms and climatic variables, we pursued to investigate the relations between air temperatures and mating behavior of Spodoptera lituraadults. Nighttime recordings of adult movement showed a complex interaction between timing and temperature. We found maximum number of mating adults at 3:00 when the average nighttime temperatures were more than 14°C. However, when the average nighttime temperatures were less than 14°C in the tobacco field, peaks adult movement happened before 3: 00. Altogether, these results suggest that the behaviors of S. litura adults are partly regulated by air temperatures during nighttime in the field, and this could be used to improve biological control methods against the S. litura. Key words: Mating behavior, nocturnal moth, circadian rhythm, pheromone trapping, yellow sticky traps, crop pests, plant-herbivore interaction.

Signal integration in budding yeast

A complex signalling network governs the response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to an array of environmental stimuli and stresses. In the present article, we provide an overview of the main signalling system and discuss the mechanisms by which yeast integrates and separates signals from these sources. We apply our classification scheme to a simple semi-quantitative model of the HOG (high-osmolarity glycerol)/FG (filamentous growth)/PH (pheromone) MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signalling network by perturbing its signal integration mechanisms under combinatorial stimuli of osmotic stress, starvation and pheromone exposure in silico. Our findings include that the Hog1 MAPK might act as a timer for filamentous differentiation, not allowing morphological differentiation before osmo-adaptation is sufficiently completed. We also see that a mutually exclusive decision-making between pheromone and osmo-response might not be taken on the MAPK level and transcriptional regulation of MAPK targets. We conclude that signal integration mechanisms in a wider network including the cell cycle have to be taken into account for which our framework might provide focal points of study.

Chemocommunication among domestic cats, mediated by the olfactory and vomeronasal senses. I. Chemocommunication.

Chemocommunication functions are known in many social mammals, such as gerbils, hamsters, and deer. But also mammals known as at least partly solitary do communicate by chemical signals. The existence and use of pheromones in domestic cats was the subject of this study. It turned out that male and female cats spent much time in exploring their own and foreigners' urine and skin gland secretion rubbed off on several objects. Male receivers performed sniffing and flehmen more frequently than females on the same urine, whereas female cats paid more attention to skin gland secretion. Both urine and cheek gland secretion of the female donor appeared to contain pheromones which inform the tomcat about her hormonal phase.

ANT COLONY OPTIMIZATION FOR VLSI FLOORPLANNING WITH CLUSTERING CONSTRAINTS

In this study the very large scale integration (VLSI) floorplanning problem with clustering constraints and the layout area as the minimization criterion is considered. An algorithm, which is based on the primary principles of ant colony optimization (ACO), to solve this problem is presented. This ACO-based algorithm employs two different types of pheromone trails as the communication media among artificial ants to effectively guide them to cooperatively construct a high quality floorplan. On the basis of the characteristics of ACO, moreover, an encoding scheme, which is referred to as dynamic junction list (DJL), is proposed to represent the geometric relationships between circuit modules for a floorplan. Experimental results using the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC) benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Monitoring Lymantria monacha L. Species in Resinous Forests of Toplita-Harghita Forest Deparment

In range of Topliţa forest district, number of butterflies caught in a pheromonal trap, being small, detection is made only using pheromonal method, using different types of traps: panel trap – 30x40 cm, with adhesive on one side; tetratrap trap - lower panel adhesive; funnel trap, soaked with pheromone baits Atralymon produced by Institute of Chemistry Cluj. Instalation of pheromonal traps, is done in every spruce, fir and mixed forest with beech, where spruce and fir have in compozition of forest over 30 %. will not count tree age, in monitoring sistem. Pheromonal traps are installed, before beginning flight butterflies, on july 11 altitudes <800m, on 21 july on altitudes between 800-1400m, and on 26 july on altitudes over 1400m. One pheromonal trap is one „control point” this will receive a serial number in forest lot, will be inscribed in the observations book of field staff, and on to trees which installs the traps, and this will be marked with a circle of paint to be easily identified, and to maintain in every year the same control points. Density of control points varies, depending on the area's vulnerability and depending on population level made in previous years, in Oriental Carpathians will be installed one pheromonal trap/50ha.

Aspects Regarding Ipidae Damages in Resinous Forests of Topli?a-Harghita Forest Department

Bark beetles (Ipidae) must be reported and detected throughout the year, observations can be made on the various stages of development and after injury characteristic. Monitoring adults, it can be done by observing colony flight, moving from one place to another, and on tree trunks can identify bugs, looking place to enter in the bark, or using pheromone method, to attract and capture adults.

Evaluation of wheat ear insects in large scale field in central Germany

Wheat ear insects in large scale winter wheat field in Salzmünde (SaxsonyAnhalt) central Germany were evaluated. The present study aimed at studying the abundance of wheat blossom midges WBM, Sitodoplosis mosellana (Géhin), Contarinia tritici (Kirby) and thrips, Li mothrips cerealium (Haliday) and Haplothrips tritici (Kurdjumov). Infestation in winter wheat during the growing seasons 2007, 2008 and 2009 was evaluated. Three methods were used to determine population densities and damage of wheat midges and thrips; pheromone traps, inspection of ear insects and water traps. A strong correlation between midge’s catches and weather conditions was obtained in field ob servations. A positive correlation between phe romone catches and ear infestation levels was recorded; it was higher in 2008 than in 2009. On the other hand, in 2007 there was no synchro nization; S. mosellana hibernated emerged too late to coincide with the susceptible wheat growth stages. The chemical treatment applied at 2008 for highly infestation; there were sig nificant differences in thrips and midge num bers between treated and untreated. Thrips and midge numbers were lower in the treated than in control. The high midge populations in water traps were recorded at growth stages 7779 and 83 and the low populations were recorded at GS 75 and 7577. This gives a reliable base for de cision making to midges control.

The pleasure instinct: why we crave adventure, chocolate, pheromones, and music

The pleasure instinct: why we crave adventure, chocolate, pheromones, and music

Guava moth (&lt;i&gt;Coscinoptycha improbana&lt;/i&gt;) mating disruption using Asian peach moth (&lt;i&gt;Carposina sasakii&lt;/i&gt;) pheromone dispensers

Guava moth has now been recorded as far south as Auckland on fruit trees since first being detected in feijoa at Ahipara in 1997 The use of insecticides to control this internal fruit pest is not a viable option for growers To develop the basis for an alternative control tactic using mating disruption smallplot trials were carried out in a macadamia nut orchard using an existing polyethylene tubing pheromone dispenser used in Japan containing pheromone of the related Asian peach moth (Carposina sasakii) Male moths were significantly disrupted from locating pheromone traps (as a surrogate for female moths) using three pheromone dispensers in a single tree and also using one dispenser per tree in a plot of nine trees In a trial investigating the effect of height on trap catch the largest catch was at 3 m near the top of the canopy Aspects of guava moth biology were also investigated in the laboratory larval period in early fallen macadamia nuts pupa period at ambient autumn temperatures adult longevity with water or 10 honey solution compared to no food/water size range and sex ratio of male and female moths

The nose has it: Pheromones

The nose has it: Pheromones

The effect of AntNet parameters on its performance

AntNet is a routing algorithm which takes advantage of the way ants help each other to find food sources faster. Ants’ communication in this respect is indirect by leaving pheromone trails as they move. The richness and thickness of the trail is proportional to the number of ants that have passed. This method of indirect courtesy guidance by affecting the environment is called stigmergy. Many network parameters that affect the performance of AntNet algorithm. However, there is little works on AntNet parameter analysis. In this paper we examine the effect of AntNet parameters on its performance. Simulation is used to estimate performance measures. Results show that changing one specific parameter may not lead to an improvement in performance unless other parameters are also changed, accordingly. Key words: Routing algorithm, AntNet, AntNet performance parameter, agent.

Control of summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes reticulana, by an experimental "attract and kill" formulation.

The summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes reticulana Hubner is a major pest of fruit crops, particularly apple and pear, in temperate regions. Pheromonal control of summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes reticulana, by an experimental “attract and kill” formulation were carried out during year 2008 at the Fruit Research Station Cluj, Romania. The experimental product formulated by the researchers of the Chemical Research Institute Raluca Ripan-Romania, contains the pheromone of the summer fruit tortrix moth (the sex pheromone is a blend 9:1 of (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate) and a synthetic piretroid insecticide (cyfluthrin) in order to be compatible with the attract and kill biotechnique. The experimental product was applied in a rate of 4000 droplets per hectare with a hand operated pump dispenser. Field trial in 2008 of the experimental product was conducted in pear orchard, organized for experimental trials. Field trial in 2008 showed that this environmental friendly strategy can compete with the conventional spray application of insecticides and can provide a good alternative for Adoxophyes reticulana control in integrated pest management and fruit growing.

Study on The Dynamics of Pests Complex in Resinous Forest of Sebeş Forestry, Prigoana Canton

Among the complex of pests at Sebes forestry, the species most frequently encountered belong to the family Ipidae. Pheromone traps are most commonly used for monitoring and combating this group of pests. The highest number of captures can be achieved by using the wing traps and barrier traps. During the 3 years of survey, the average numbers of captures, achieved with a pheromone trap were: 330.8 adults/trap in 2006, 493.1 adults/trap in 2007, and 776.9 adults/trap in 2008. Regarding the presence of Ipidae species, we observed that species of genus Ips (Ips typographus, Ips amitimus) are the most numerous, and species of genus Pytiogenes (Pytiogenes chalcographus) are encountered in lower numbers.