Investigating plasticity in moth pheromone communication

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

10:00 AM – 10:12 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 114/115

Presenting Author(s)

NH

N. Kirk Hillier

Professor
Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Co-Author(s)

VI

Victoria Ivey

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
TP

Tyler Peskett

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sarah Koerte

Postdoctoral fellow
Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
RE

Russell Easy

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
EG

Ersa Gjelaj

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
KK

Kassandra Kelbratowski

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Heliothine moths are ubiquitous, representing some of the most serious agricultural pests on the planet, causing massive annual crop losses particularly in the developing world. We are developing a global initiative to investigate comparative evolution of olfactory systems in this important group of agricultural pests to develop this species complex as a model system for evolution of complex pheromone communication. Using comparative physiology, chemistry and molecular tools to characterize odorant receptor shifts associated with communication, I will summarize studies on blend complexity in pheromone production, detection and behavioral response from amongst sympatric and allopatric species. Furthermore, we are examining plasticity of olfactory receptor (OR) expression and physiological function, as well as the spectrum of blends which initiate agonistic and antagonistic behaviors. The overall goal is to identify shifts in communication which may contribute to larger trends in speciation (both sympatric and allopatric) and evolution in insects. This initiative will determine genetic factors mediating shifts in female pheromone production, male pheromone response.