Dr. Jan Bergmann

Webinar Link

Join us on Zoom: https://sfu.zoom.us/j/69978798910?pwd=Z3pQVDBMWjJjdE5ya3VXdmgxQ1Q2dz09

Webinar ID: 699 7879 8910

Passcode: 712698

Abstract

Many insects produce and release chemical compounds for communication. These chemical messengers are termed “semiochemicals”, which can be classified in subgroups. Pheromones are semiochemicals involved in intraspecific communication.

The identification of pheromones on one hand provides information about the evolution of communication at the molecular level. On the other hand, synthetic pheromones are a powerful tool for insect pest management. The main advantages of the use of pheromones are their specificity, low toxicity, and compatibility with other pest management tools.

Insects produce their pheromones in very low amounts (usually in the range of 10^-12 - 10^-9 g), and the main technique used in identification is gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, together with microderivatization reactions which provide valuable information about the structure of unknown compounds.

In this talk, I will present recent identifications and syntheses of pheromones from two lepidopteran agricultural and forestry pest insects in Chile, which led to the identification of new natural compounds.