Does Low-Cost Electroantennography Differentiate Pheromone vs. Non-pheromone Compounds?
Location
Poster #8
Department
Chemistry
Abstract
As part of our development of entomology experiments for undergraduates, we previously created a very low-cost method for collecting electroantennograms (EAG). We have already demonstrated measurable, duration-dependent electrical responses in adult Podisus maculiventris (Spined Soldier Bugs) when an artificial pheromone mixture (benzyl alcohol, (E)-2-hexenal, alpha-terpineol) is flowed over a freshly amputated head and antennae in a moist air stream vs. a non-spiked air stream. However, it remains unclear whether this method can discriminate between different chemicals, including the individual components of the pheromone and in comparison to non-pheromone chemicals. In this work, we compare the EAG signal from adults and 5th instars of P. maculiventris to the individual components mentioned above, and linalool, a trace component in the pheromone, as well as non-pheromone chemicals of similar volatility such as octane, heptyne, toluene, and cinnamaldehyde. Our results will be shared in the poster.
Faculty Sponsor
Charles Abrams
Does Low-Cost Electroantennography Differentiate Pheromone vs. Non-pheromone Compounds?
Poster #8
As part of our development of entomology experiments for undergraduates, we previously created a very low-cost method for collecting electroantennograms (EAG). We have already demonstrated measurable, duration-dependent electrical responses in adult Podisus maculiventris (Spined Soldier Bugs) when an artificial pheromone mixture (benzyl alcohol, (E)-2-hexenal, alpha-terpineol) is flowed over a freshly amputated head and antennae in a moist air stream vs. a non-spiked air stream. However, it remains unclear whether this method can discriminate between different chemicals, including the individual components of the pheromone and in comparison to non-pheromone chemicals. In this work, we compare the EAG signal from adults and 5th instars of P. maculiventris to the individual components mentioned above, and linalool, a trace component in the pheromone, as well as non-pheromone chemicals of similar volatility such as octane, heptyne, toluene, and cinnamaldehyde. Our results will be shared in the poster.