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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Physical processes and real-time chemical measurement of the insect olfactory environment
Author(s):		Riffell JA; Abrell L; Hildebrand JG;
Address:		"ARL Division of Neurobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 857210-0077, USA. jeffr@neurobio.arizona.edu"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2008
Volume:		20080612
Issue:		7
Page Number:		837 - 853
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-008-9490-7
ISSN/ISBN:		0098-0331 (Print) 1573-1561 (Electronic) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Odor-mediated insect navigation in airborne chemical plumes is vital to many ecological interactions, including mate finding, flower nectaring, and host locating (where disease transmission or herbivory may begin). After emission, volatile chemicals become rapidly mixed and diluted through physical processes that create a dynamic olfactory environment. This review examines those physical processes and some of the analytical technologies available to characterize those behavior-inducing chemical signals at temporal scales equivalent to the olfactory processing in insects. In particular, we focus on two areas of research that together may further our understanding of olfactory signal dynamics and its processing and perception by insects. First, measurement of physical atmospheric processes in the field can provide insight into the spatiotemporal dynamics of the odor signal available to insects. Field measurements in turn permit aspects of the physical environment to be simulated in the laboratory, thereby allowing careful investigation into the links between odor signal dynamics and insect behavior. Second, emerging analytical technologies with high recording frequencies and field-friendly inlet systems may offer new opportunities to characterize natural odors at spatiotemporal scales relevant to insect perception and behavior. Characterization of the chemical signal environment allows the determination of when and where olfactory-mediated behaviors may control ecological interactions. Finally, we argue that coupling of these two research areas will foster increased understanding of the physicochemical environment and enable researchers to determine how olfactory environments shape insect behaviors and sensory systems"
Keywords:		"Animals Body Size Chemistry Techniques, Analytical Insecta/*physiology Odorants/*analysis Smell/*physiology Time Factors;"
Notes:		"MedlineRiffell, Jeffrey A Abrell, Leif Hildebrand, John G eng DC-02751/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/ R01 DC002751/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/ R01 DC002751-14A1/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/ K12 GM000708/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ 2 K12 GM000708-06/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Review 2008/06/13 J Chem Ecol. 2008 Jul; 34(7):837-53. doi: 10.1007/s10886-008-9490-7. Epub 2008 Jun 12"