How aphid alarm pheromone can control aphids: a review

Aphids are the major pests of arable crops, mostly in temperate regions. They are monophagous as well as polyphagous. They inflict damage in brassica, potato, cotton, vegetable and fruit crops. They damage their host plant directly by feeding upon their phloem sap, or indirectly by transmitting pathogens to them. Their life cycle can be autoecious as well as heteroecious. Aphids use semiochemicals for various purposes, in gathering information from their environment and for communication among themselves. They protect themselves from predators and parasitoids by escape response which is arbitrated by use of alarm pheromone signalling. When alarm pheromone, (E)-ß-farnesene, is released, nearby aphids exhibit a variety of behaviours like moving away, running, dropping off the plant and even attacking the predator. Previous studies of integrated pest management strategies have been aimed at the usage of alarm pheromone. However, scientists require complete knowledge of aphid ecology as well as aphid interaction with its natural enemies to establish efficient and viable biological control. This review presents analysis of the existing aphid pest management methodologies and effectiveness of alarm pheromone on aphids and their natural enemies.