Date of Award
6-5-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Biological Science (MBioSci)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
William Baltosser
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from plants often mediate interactions with constituents of the broader ecosystem. In this study I examined the extent to which VOCs emitted from the bark of Prunus species change after mechanical wounding, and thereby influence the behavior of Sesiid peach pests. This research represents the first application of solid-phase microextraction to the characterization of Prunus bark volatiles and the first investigation of bark emissions as mediators of Sesiid behavior in three decades. I document significant decreases in benzaldehyde emission coinciding with increases in benzyl cyanide, p-cymene, linalool, and camphene after wounding in both Prunus species examined. I also found that synthetic blends of bark volatiles were unattractive to female moths. In fact, the distribution of early instar larvae observed in July and August 2017 hints that the emissions from lures may in fact discourage movement into an area. Although this study was not designed to address this question, it represents an interesting avenue for future research.
Recommended Citation
Hetherington, Matthew, "Smelling Weakness: Mechanical Damage Influences the Volatile Emissions of Prunus Bark" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 823.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/823
