Abstract

The concept of reverse chemical ecology (exploitation of molecular knowledge for chemical ecology) has recently emerged in conservation biology and human health. Here, we extend this concept to crop protection. Targeting odorant receptors from a crop pest insect, the noctuid moth Spodoptera littoralis, we demonstrate that reverse chemical ecology has the potential to accelerate the discovery of novel crop pest insect attractants and repellents. Using machine learning, we first predicted novel natural ligands for two odorant receptors, SlitOR24 and 25. Then, electrophysiological validation proved in silico predictions to be highly sensitive, as 93% and 67% of predicted agonists triggered a response in Drosophila olfactory neurons expressing SlitOR24 and SlitOR25, respectively, despite a lack of specificity. Last, when tested in Y-maze behavioral assays, the most active novel ligands of the receptors were attractive to caterpillars. This work provides a template for rational design of new eco-friendly semiochemicals to manage crop pest populations.

Keywords

Semiochemicals; Insects; Spodoptera littoralis; Behavior; Crop protection; Machine learning

Published in

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
2021, Volume: 78, number: 19, pages: 6593-6603
Publisher: SPRINGER BASEL AG

SLU Authors

• Caballero Vidal, Gabriela

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE)

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network


UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-021-03919-2

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/113452