BI1346, Chemical Ecology for Sustainable Insect Pest Control, 15.0 Hp
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Syllabus

Level

Second cycle (A1N)

Main field of study

Biology, Chemistry

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The overall aim of the course is to demonstrate the current use and future potential of chemical ecology in the development of tools for use in sustainable insect monitoring and control.

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• discuss how semiochemicals can be used to increase the sustainability of plant protection programs, in relation to UN sustainability goals
• describe the common techniques and workflows used to identify relevant semiochemicals and to develop these signals into monitoring and control tools
• discuss the complex odour-driven interactions among trophic levels in the context of plant protection
• explain the influence of chemical stimuli on insect behaviour from an ecological and evolutionary perspective
• comprehend and discuss relevant scientific articles within chemical ecology
• plan and design an experiment and implement methods relevant for the sustainable insect control
• formulate and write a scientific report based on newly generated data, and
• evaluate scientific findings by both self-evaluation and by peer-review.

Content

This course will present the main topics in chemical ecology in a sustainable crop protection perspective. The course will introduce to chemical ecology and how insect behaviour is controlled by chemical stimuli. We will discuss how insects send and receive chemical signals, and how these signals are classified. Together, we will investigate examples of chemical signals that have been developed into tools that modify a pest insect’s behaviour and provides protection to important crops. We will delve into how these tools have been developed and explore the potential for novel odour and taste-mediated control method development.

Topics include:

• insect sense of smell - morphology and function
• fundamental smell and taste chemistry, i.e. isolation and chemical identification of behaviour-activating substances
• how chemical substances, e.g. pheromones and plant compounds, affect insect behaviour
• common techniques and workflows in chemical ecology
• how pheromones and plant compounds can be used within crop protection
• how learning in insects impacts control methods.

Scheduled literature seminars, laboratory practicals, practical project work and presentations are compulsory.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

The examination consists of written examination plus written and oral reporting of practical tasks and laboratory work. To pass the course, a passing grade in each of the examinations as well as the assignment work is required, as is the approved participation in compulsory course components.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Plant Protection Biology

Supplementary information

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
insect-insect interactions	3.0	0302
insect-host interactions	3.0	0303
chemosensory systems	2.0	0304
literature seminar	1.0	0305
pilot project report	3.0	0306
pilot project presentation	3.0	0307

The Course Replaces

BI0516, BI0914

Other Information

Basic chemistry and basic ecology is recommended.