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Journal article
Characterization of Hymenopteran Parasitoids of Aphis fabae in an African Smallholder Bean Farming System through Sequencing of COI ‘Mini-Barcodes’
Parasitoids are among the most frequently reported natural enemies of insect pests, particularly aphids. The efficacy of parasitoids as biocontrol agents is influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. For example, hyperparasitoids can reduce the abundance of the primary parasitoids as well as modify their behavior. A field study was conducted... -
Journal article
Flagellum Removal by a Nectar Metabolite Inhibits Infectivity of a Bumblebee Parasite
Plant phytochemicals can act as natural ‘‘medicines’’ for animals against parasites [1–3]. Some nectar metabolites, for example, reduce parasite infections in bees [4–7]. Declining plant diversity through anthropogenic landscape change [8–11] could reduce the availability of medicinal nectar plants for pollinators, exacerbating their decline [12]. Existing studies are, however, limited... -
Journal article
For antagonists and mutualists: the paradox of insect toxic secondary metabolites in nectar and pollen
The plant kingdom produces an extraordinary diversity of secondary metabolites and the majority of the literature supports a defensive ecological role for them, particularly against invertebrate herbivores (antagonists). Plants also produce secondary compounds in floral nectar and pollen and these are often similar to those produced for defense against invertebrates...Stevenson, Philip C.
Bombus, Bee pathogens, Nicotine, Caffeine, Pollinator specialization, Nectar chemicals, and Crithidia bombi
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Journal article
The climatic challenge: Which plants will people use in the next century?
More than 31,000 useful plant species have been documented to fulfil needs and services for humans or the animals and environment we depend on. Despite this diversity, humans currently satisfy most requirements with surprisingly few plant species; for example, just three crops – rice, wheat and maize – comprise more... -
Journal article
Rosmarinic acid in Canna generalis activates the medial deterrent chemosensory neurone and deters feeding in the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta
For all but a very few highly specialized insect feeders, Canna generalis L. (Cannaceae) is unacceptable as a food plant and is a highly potent feeding deterrent for the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta Johan. (Lepidoptera). The present study describes the isolation of an active deterrent compound, rosmarinic acid (RA) from...Simmonds, Monique S.J. ; Stevenson, Philip C. ; Hanson, Frank E.
sensory coding, feeding behaviour, phagodeterrents, phytochemistry, Lepidoptera, and insect neurophysiology
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Journal article
Mechanisms in mutualisms: a chemically mediated thrips pollination strategy in common elder
The concept of flower-feeding thrips as pollinating insects in temperate regions is rarely considered as they are more frequently regarded to be destructive florivores feeding on pollen and surrounding plant tissue. Combining laboratory and field-based studies we examined interactions between Sambucus nigra (elderflower) and Thrips major within their native range...