2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
The role of tarsi in host discrimination of coleopteran insects and its application to pest control
Project/Area Number |
15H04461
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
Section | 一般 |
Research Field |
Plant protection science
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Research Institution | Tohoku University |
Principal Investigator |
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Project Period (FY) |
2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
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Keywords | 昆虫 / コウチュウ目 / 寄主選択 / ふ節 / 味覚 / 感覚子 / 植物化学物質 / ハムシ |
Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Tarsal gustation is well known in Diptera and Lepidoptera. However, tarsal gustation in Coleoptera, the largest order of insects, is unclear. Morphological studies showed that the existence of gustatory sensilla on tarsi was limited to leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae) and several species belonging to other taxa. In electrophysiological studies, these sensilla of the leaf beetles showed a spike response to salts, sugars, bitter substances, and leaf surface wax of the host plant. This indicates that the beetles can sense taste substances through their tarsal sensilla. In behavioral studies, the leaf beetles showed behavioral response to sugars, bitter substances, and leaf surface wax by only their tarsi. In addition, the beetles showed a positive response to leaf surface wax of their most suitable host plant by only their tarsi, although they did not show a positive response to other plant waxes. It is considered that the leaf beetles can select the most suitable hosts by their tarsi.
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Free Research Field |
応用昆虫学
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