The multifunctional use of shared semiochemicals

Semiochemicals have been successfully deployed in many systems to manage insect pests, where treatments are typically focused on a single target organism. However, compounds contained in semiochemical blends are not always exclusive to the target pest, opening the door for other organisms interacting with the treatment to also detect and respond to them. The shared use of semiochemicals may be more likely when dispensing compounds that occur widely in nature, which may serve as a useful source of sensory information for multiple trophic levels and, in some cases, provide additional layers of protection for plants. In this talk, we will explore some of the current semiochemical treatments used for pest management and consider scenarios where there is the potential for the shared use of the same treatment. We will then present data as a proof of concept from an annual cropping system where a shared compound in a semiochemical treatment affects the behavior of a pest herbivore, their predator, and a crop plant, resulting in a multilayered benefit to the plant. These results illustrate the potential of using shared semiochemicals, rather than treatments that have a single target audience. By considering the non-target effects of semiochemicals and the potential to augment plant protection, new insights to meet management goals may be discovered.