A Drosophila OBP Required for Pheromone Signaling

摘要

Pest insects have a profound impact on agriculture and human health. Substantial global losses of crops, stored agricultural products, timber, and livestock can be attributed to damage and destruction by insects (7). Blood-feeding insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and ticks transmit devastating infectious diseases, including malaria. Insect-borne diseases account for millions of deaths annually, and insect-associated illnesses surpass 300 million annual reported cases (2). The toxicity of pesticidesand the emergence of pesticide resistance limit their utility. Finding alternative means to control insect pests remains a challenge. Here, I explore a new approach that aims to control species-specific pheromone signaling and thereby modulate insect behavior.