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New semiochemical opportunities from Nepeta spp. as a non-food crop

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004541
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor John Pickett
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	31,386
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/09/2002
End date	01/12/2006
Duration	51 months

Abstract

A previous programme, SEMIOCHEM, has established the basis for commercial production and formulation of a specific isomer of nepetalactone from the catmint, Nepeta cataria, grown as a non-food arable crop. This nepetalactone comprises the sex attractant pheromone for many species of pest aphids and is being developed for aphid pest control, mainly by optimising the exploitation of natural populations of aphid parasitoids which are also attracted. The extracted nepetalactone has also been commercialised in the form of a controlled release dispenser for inclusion into cat toys. Unexpected developments, including the attraction of important predators in addition to parasitoids, and use of the nepetalactone in sophisticated cat toys have provided more extensive and new exploitation opportunities in SEMIOCHEM2, provided that the science base can be established. These new opportunities relate to exploitation of parasitoids and predators in UK agricultural and horticultural crop protection systems, and also to broader aspects of the exploitation of semiochemicals for control of pests such as vectors of disease pathogens and those causing hygiene or nuisance problems.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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