Obiettivo Insects have a matchless capability to adapt, which is apparent from the beguiling diversity of insects, as well as in their notorious habit to invade our agro-ecosystems. As insects rely strongly on their sense of smell, such adaptive radiation and speciation events are generally accompanied olfactory adaptation. Yet, the neuroethological bases of olfactory adaptation remain largely elusive.The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis, is a textbook example of pheromone polymorphism. The existence of two clearly differentiated pheromone strains intrigued the curiosity of the chemical ecologists, especially since these pheromone strains seem to be fixed to different host plants. One pheromone strain strongly prefers ancestral host plants such as hop and mugwort, whereas the other strain has shifted to maize since its introduction in Europe in the 16th century.We are close to completing the characterization of molecular and physiological changes underlying its radical shift in pheromone preference. Although, the shift in the olfactory circuitry underlying this dichotomy in host choice is unknown.I will characterize the olfactory component of this host plant divergence in the ECB using a multidisciplinary approach, including electrophysiology, chemical analysis peripheral neurophysiology, central neuroanatomy, bahvioral and field tests.The host shift of the ECB serves as an example of host shifts induced through human created ecological niches. In addition, concomitant with our study of how the olfactory circuitry accommodates shifts, I will identify hop, mugwort and maize volatiles that attract ECB, which can be useful in novel monitoring control strategies of this pest species. Campo scientifico natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomology Programma(i) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Invito a presentare proposte FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinatore AGRARTUDOMANYI KUTATOKOZPONT Contributo UE € 100 000,00 Indirizzo BRUNSZVIK STREET 2 2462 Martonvasar Ungheria Mostra sulla mappa Regione Dunántúl Közép-Dunántúl Fejér Tipo di attività Research Organisations Contatto amministrativo Zsófia Fillinger (Ms.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato
