Aphid semiochemicals - A review, and recent advances on the sex pheromone.

The alarm pheromones are known for many species of aphids, and methods of using the synthetic pheromone to improve control of aphids by contact insecticides and biological agents have been devised. Highly active analogs have been prepared and plant-derived synergists identified. Laboratory studies on compounds obtained by chemical modification of the alarm pheromone and antifeedants derived from non-host plants have led to successful field trials against aphid-borne virus diseases in crops. Strategies for biotechnological production of aphid semiochemicals are described. The sex pheromones for a number of aphids have recently been identified. Further studies on the production, perception, and interspecific attraction of the pheromone components are described and possible uses for the sex pheromone are discussed.