Developing Scent Emitters to Investigate VOC-Mediated Insect Interactions
Location
CELA & Mary Church Terrell Library, First Floor
Document Type
Poster - Open Access
Start Date
4-25-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
4-25-2025 2:00 PM
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are molecules synthesized and emitted by plants into the nearby environment. They can serve as key signals in plant-plant communication, and as mediators for ecological interactions with pollinators and predators. The overall VOC scent profile of any plant is made up of a complex blend of dozens of VOCs, whose levels fluctuate with environmental stimuli. As a result, investigations into the role of any singular compound—whether it serves to attract pollinators, repel predators, recruit parasitoids of predators, or several of the above—have proven difficult.
Previous work in this lab has investigated the ecological importance of volatile organic compounds emitted by Castilleja sessiliflora, a hemiparasitic plant native to central and western North America that interacts with both predatory and pollinating insects. Using tobacco hornworms and adult hawkmoths (Manduca sexta) as a model, we seek to specifically examine the role of several ecologically important VOCs, such as the monoterpenoid linalool, in a lab setting. Currently, there is minimal published information on methods to artificially replicate plant-like VOC emission with singular, isolated compounds in vitro. Through the use of headspace VOC collection and GS-MS analysis, we are working to develop designs and protocols for VOC emission devices (“scent emitters”) that effectively mimic ecologically relevant emission patterns. These findings will help to lay foundations in methodology for future investigations into the role of VOCs in mediating insect interactions, both in a lab setting and as a resource for future field studies.
Keywords:
VOCs, Pollination ecology, Castilleja sessiliflora, Manduca sexta
Recommended Citation
Davis, Jake; Edwards, Ellie; and Hilpman, Evan, "Developing Scent Emitters to Investigate VOC-Mediated Insect Interactions" (2025). Research Symposium. 7.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2025/posters/7
Major
Biology
Project Mentor(s)
Evan Hilpman, Biology
2025
Developing Scent Emitters to Investigate VOC-Mediated Insect Interactions
CELA & Mary Church Terrell Library, First Floor
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are molecules synthesized and emitted by plants into the nearby environment. They can serve as key signals in plant-plant communication, and as mediators for ecological interactions with pollinators and predators. The overall VOC scent profile of any plant is made up of a complex blend of dozens of VOCs, whose levels fluctuate with environmental stimuli. As a result, investigations into the role of any singular compound—whether it serves to attract pollinators, repel predators, recruit parasitoids of predators, or several of the above—have proven difficult.
Previous work in this lab has investigated the ecological importance of volatile organic compounds emitted by Castilleja sessiliflora, a hemiparasitic plant native to central and western North America that interacts with both predatory and pollinating insects. Using tobacco hornworms and adult hawkmoths (Manduca sexta) as a model, we seek to specifically examine the role of several ecologically important VOCs, such as the monoterpenoid linalool, in a lab setting. Currently, there is minimal published information on methods to artificially replicate plant-like VOC emission with singular, isolated compounds in vitro. Through the use of headspace VOC collection and GS-MS analysis, we are working to develop designs and protocols for VOC emission devices (“scent emitters”) that effectively mimic ecologically relevant emission patterns. These findings will help to lay foundations in methodology for future investigations into the role of VOCs in mediating insect interactions, both in a lab setting and as a resource for future field studies.
Notes
Presenters: Jake Davis and Ellie Edwards