Plant-insect interactions have many ecological and economic importance. In fact, it has been established that insects rely on olfaction and that gravid females are attracted to oviposition sites by volatile compounds of their host plants. How can olfactory recognition of host plants be carried out by insects? Identification and characterization of volatile compounds involved in host recognition could contribute to understanding the chemical orientation of insects towards host plants.
Volatile organic compounds would therefore be collected from target host plants and they would be identified and characterized using gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS). Gas-chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and behavioural experiments would be performed to fully understand the ecological functions of these compounds. Insect antennae would be used as biological detectors. Bioassays would be performed to study attraction or repulsion of perceived compounds, with the ultimate goal to develop eco-friendly methods of pest control.