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ViewAttendees 3

Member Symposium

Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

Insect Chemosensory Systems and Semiochemicals: From Molecular Genetics to Neuroethology

Comparative olfactory neuroethology of acid detection in acarines

Sunday, November 5, 2023
3:10 PM – 3:30 PM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Potomac C
In-Person

Acari (mites and ticks) are economically and medically important arachnids with significant impacts on human health and agriculture.  For example, black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, are of significant medical concern due to vectoring of Lyme disease throughout North America.  Other parasites, such as Varroa mites, Varroa destructor, are of veterinary and agricultural concern, because they cause considerable damage to honey bee colonies by direct feeding and disease transmission.  Tetranychus urticae, the red-spotted spider mite, is a major global pest of many plant species, ranging from houseplants and horticultural products to greenhouse vegetables.  This presentation will outline recent studies investigating chemical ecology of these acarines, using combined approaches of chemical analyses, electrophysiology, and behavioral assays, with an emphasis on the importance of acids as behaviorally-relevant cues.  Using this knowledge, we plan to develop new, environmentally sustainable technologies for managing these acarine pests.