As insects become more resistant to pesticides, the “smell of fear” some predators produce may someday be harnessed to repel and disrupt destructive insects naturally. In a recent study, a team of researchers found that the synthesized scent of a ladybug had measurable effects on their natural prey aphids in the lab, and the next step will be field tests. Plant-eating bugs pose threats to farmers and gardeners, prompting the use of pesticides. In the study led by Hermann, predator insects emit odors that their herbivorous prey can detect. This, in turn, changes pests’ behavior and even their physiology to avoid being eaten. The researchers have found a way to capture the “smell of fear” to obviate the need for harsh chemicals.
https://www.zenger.news/2021/08/27/smell-of-fear-may-help-protect-crops-from-pests/
Farmers are known to use massive amounts of pesticides to get rid of the hordes of hungry insects that are destroying their crops because herbivores are a major threat to crop yields. These pesticides often cause massive environmental problems. They can reach our food, harm humans, threaten bees, kill birds, and destroy populations of predatory insects as well, making the crop pest problem worse in the long run. So one alternative that researchers and farmers have been testing is to use predatory insects to control plant-eaters. However, this approach - known as biological control - has its own challenges, as the release of many natural predators may not always target the intended species, in addition to the fact that some pests are invasive and have no native predators, and may even prey on each other in the end.
So, what is your scientific opinion on harnessing the natural smell of predators as a promising future direction of chemical ecology applied in sustainable pest control?
All comments and contributions are welcome.
For home gardeners and farmers, herbivorous insects pose a great threat to their hard work and crop yields. The predatory insects that feed on these beetles give off odors that pests can detect, which changes the behavior of the pests and even their physiology so as not to be eaten.
https://cincinnatichronicle.com/science-news-study-develops-method-for-protecting-plants-from-insects-through-the-smell-of-fear/
Aphids are an extremely destructive pest to a number of crops, and their large numbers, their ability to transmit plant pathogens, and their increased resistance to insecticides make them a persistent problem for breeders. They are also a favorite of the ladybirds, which gardeners applaud as a source for sustainable pest control. The research has shown that aphids and other herbivorous insects avoid fields and gardens when they can smell nearby predators. In addition, exposure to the olfactory stimuli emanating from ladybugs can also cause aphids to slow their reproductive rate and increase their ability to grow wings, both behaviors aimed at avoiding threats.
https://exterminatornews.com/use-the-smell-of-fear-to-protect-gardens-and-crops-from-destructive-insects/
A diffuser which “smells like fear” could help keep pests off garden plants, according to a new study. The special odor is made up of compounds produced by ladybugs, a natural predator of plant-eating insects which ravage gardens and crops.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/diffuser-that-smells-like-fear-and-could-keep-pests-off-garden-plants/
Thank you very much for your question, dear Manal Hadi Kanaan!
The use of the natural smell of predators to solve this problem has a good perspective. It would be very cool to apply this technology to various pests, not only in agriculture but also, for example, in politics. I think our life would be a little better!
Best wishes only!
With deep respect, Volodymyr Naumchuk
Dear Dr. Volodymyr Naumchuk thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
Using the “Smell of Fear” To Protect Gardens and Crops From Destructive Insects:
https://scitechdaily.com/using-the-smell-of-fear-to-protect-gardens-and-crops-from-destructive-insects/
Such strategies may indeed be very promising and beneficial methods...If we consider the severe consequences of the use of chemical pesticides on public health and the environment...Therefore, it may be possible to find alternative methods that are effective on the one hand against these crop-destroying pests, but they, on the other hand, it is more suitable and safe for the environment...So it does not have to be against a specific pest. This may be the nucleus from which many ideas and projects are launched to include other pests and extract compounds from predators, which in turn may be more effective in protecting many agricultural crops... My sincere gratitude to all.
Ladybugs' odor profile causes aphids to fly away.
https://scitechdaily.com/using-the-smell-of-fear-to-protect-gardens-and-crops-from-destructive-insects/
Thank you very much for your question. I also believe the use of the natural smell of predators has a good prospect to solve this problem.
Best
M.M. Hasan
Dear Dr. Ahasan Ullah Khan thanks a lot for sharing this valuable link with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
Dear Dr. Mohammad Mehedi Hasan thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
While no one enjoys seeing carefully nurtured crops destroyed by hordes of hungry insects, the most common way to prevent it – the use of insecticides – is causing massive ecological problems. Some are wreaking havoc on bee populations globally, killing birds and piling onto the challenges already faced by endangered species. They also destroy predatory insect populations, which just makes the problem of crop pests worse in the long term - with fewer pest enemies around to keep their numbers in check. One alternative that researchers and farmers have been putting to the test is the use of predatory insects to control the problematic plant-eaters. However, this approach, known as biological control, has its own challenges. While insecticides can target multiple pest species, this is a lot harder to achieve when relying on natural predators. Releasing multiple predators could just lead to them preying on each other, or competing with each other for the same pest, as predators may not always target their intended species.
https://www.sciencealert.com/researchers-propose-harnessing-the-stench-of-predatory-insects-as-a-pesticide-alternative
The predators are also very reliant on environmental conditions – temperature and day length can alter their behavior so they may only be effective during certain seasons. This, along with the fact that some pests are invasive and have no native predators means some pesticides may still need to be used, which can then also impact the predators.
https://www.sciencealert.com/researchers-propose-harnessing-the-stench-of-predatory-insects-as-a-pesticide-alternative
Risks of biological control for conservation purposes:
Article Risks of biological control for conservation purposes
Please have a look at this link
Protecting crops from insects using the 'smell of fear'
https://www.morningagclips.com/protecting-crops-from-insects-using-the-smell-of-fear/
Dear Dr. Lamia Mustafa Al-Naama thanks a lot for sharing this valuable link with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
Dear Dr. Radosław Walkowiak thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
I don't have a particular link or reference to cite at the moment, but I whole heartedly agree with your premise. There is indisputable evidence that insects respond to all sorts of chemical signals, as do plants, regarding defense responses. Volatile compounds that play a role in defense and/or predatory responses can be seen, for example, regarding the effect of CO2, butyric acid and jasmonic/jasmonate compounds. Perhaps the challenge in part would be in identifying an appropriate compound released by a predator which would have sufficient long lasting residence on application to ward off herbivory activity.
Dear Dr. Terrence R. Green thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
In fact, although the subject needs a lot of studies, not only on the level of the use of predator smell but perhaps the use of other natural odors that may contain volatile compounds that play an important role in expelling and protecting crops from pests in a safer and more environmentally friendly manner... For example... I was amazed at the clever strategies that bees use against their natural enemies like giant wasps... In a new study of beehives in Vietnam, researchers observed that individual bees collect fresh animal manure and spray it outside their nest to discourage wasps from killing them. In the experiment, the researchers introduced live wasps or their chemical "scent" into an area, and soon after, the honeybees scrambled to collect as much dung as possible, from any source and lay it in their nests for several days. It's still not clear (scientifically) exactly how dung protects colonies, but because wasps chew the nest themselves during their attacks, some theories may come to mind.
https://arabic.rt.com/technology/1181898-
Although chemical pesticides are widely used globally to eliminate agricultural pests in order to increase production, we face several harms due to their use, represented by negative effects on public health in addition to their harmful effects on the environment and biodiversity... On the other hand, one of the most important problems that we face when using chemical pesticides is the development and emergence of resistance against them, as once a resistant individual appears, he will quickly multiply, transmitting the trait of resistance to the next generation, and certainly, this will be at the expense of sensitive pests...This will force farmers to either increase the dose of the pesticide or use newer pesticides and more deadly to pests... And in both cases, the impact of this will be worse, whether on the environment or on public health... Therefore, scientists and researchers are constantly searching for environmentally friendly and safer methods for human and animal health.
For home gardeners and farmers, herbivorous insects present a major threat to their hard work and crop yields. The predator insects that feed on these bugs emit odors that pests can sense, which changes the pests’ behavior and even their physiology to avoid being eaten. With bugs becoming more resistant to traditional pesticides, researchers now report they have developed a way to bottle the “smell of fear” produced by predators to repel and disrupt destructive insects naturally without the need for harsh substances. “Insects rely on olfactory cues to find food, mates, and places to live, so this is a great opportunity to investigate how to use these smells to manipulate their behavior,” https://scitechdaily.com/using-the-smell-of-fear-to-protect-gardens-and-crops-from-destructive-insects/amp/
Aphids are a highly destructive pest to an array of crops, and their large numbers, ability to transmit plant pathogens, and increased resistance to insecticides make them a persistent problem for growers. They also happen to be a favorite food of the ladybug, which gardeners welcome as a source of sustainable pest management. Study has shown that aphids and other herbivorous insects will steer clear of fields and gardens if they can smell predators nearby. Not only that, but exposure to the odor cues given off by ladybugs can also cause aphids to slow their reproduction rates and increase their ability to grow wings, both of which are behaviors designed to avoid threats. https://scitechdaily.com/using-the-smell-of-fear-to-protect-gardens-and-crops-from-destructive-insects/amp/
Indeed ladybug used to be more frequent in Africa before the coming of pesticides. This insect used to eat the other harmful pests and grains would stay more than two years in the store. Nowadays these ladybugs are not there, the chemicals used to prevent harmful pesticides cannot provide protection for long and require constant application which is expensive.
Dear Dr. Chinaza Godswill Awuchi thanks a lot for sharing this valuable information and links with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
Dear Dr. Kiprotich Kiptum thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
The concept "smell of fear" seems to be ecologically sound for controlling candidate insects. To my opinion, the essence of principle relates to predatory response of intended insects to volatile chemical compound produced by the predator insects! If predators produce such a smell (volatile compound), what adaptive advantage does it confer to predators? Whether such compounds are innocuous for crop plants? Whether active ingredient may not enter into food chain? After sending the fear of smell, where will go the candidate insect pests? Will not these affect nearby crops as most insects are polyphagous in nature? To my opinion, these issues must be addressed before "smell of fear" technique assumes commercial acceptance.
Dear Dr. Arbind K. Choudhary thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion and questions that we hope to find adequate answers with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
The main issue with the pest control chemicals is that when they harm the ground and then the ground water in the area finally resulting in harmful effects on human health.
Dear Dr. Kolita Weerasekera thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
Integrated pest management: good intentions, hard realities. A review:
Article Integrated pest management: good intentions, hard realities. A review
A total system approach to sustainable pest management :
https://www.pnas.org/content/94/23/12243
Dear Dr. Jose Risomar Sousa thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion with us...My sincere gratitude Doctor.
Sustainable pest management is an eco-friendly way to get rid of and control pests. It reduces the need for harmful chemicals. The goal of sustainable pest control is to target unwanted insects and rodents without getting rid of insects that may benefit the ecosystem.
https://emagazine.com/why-sustainable-pest-control-is-essential-for-the-planet/
Pesticides affect different people differently. But no matter what their individual sensitivities, people in the greatest danger of pesticide illness are those whose exposure is highest, such as workers who mix or apply pesticides. The following link includes several tips to minimize pesticide exposure:
https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/6-ways-to-reduce-your-exposure-to-pesticides/
In agricultural crops, crop rotation, selection of crop plant varieties, the timing of planting and harvesting, irrigation management, crop rotation, and use of trap crops help reduce populations of weeds, microorganisms, insects, mites, and other pests.
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/65591
Gardening is a great way to raise your own produce, increasing your overall health and saving money at the same time. Unfortunately, many gardeners find themselves having to resort to chemical pesticides to eliminate harmful, destructive pests from their garden plants. There are alternatives to these cancer-causing chemicals–organic pesticides. These easy-to-make pesticides allow for improving health while simultaneously protecting the planet, kindly check:
https://www.motherearthliving.com/in-the-garden/eco-friendly-diy-pesticides-zbz1806/
According to a study, a diffuser which “smells like fear” could help keep pests off garden plants. Researchers have bottled the ‘smell of fear’ produced by predators to repel and disrupt insects naturally.
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