Vol. 8, Special Issue 9, Part C (2024)

Abstract: Chemical signalling plays a crucial role in the interactions between insects and plants, orchestrating a complex web of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. This abstract provides an overview of how chemical signals including volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and secondary metabolites which mediate these interactions. Plant’s as stationary organisms which employ chemical signalling to defend against herbivores and attract beneficial insects such as predators and pollinators. In response, insects have developed sophisticated mechanisms to detect and interpret these signals thus influencing their behaviour and survival strategies. For instance, VOC’s released by plants during herbivore attacks can alert neighbouring plants to bolster their defenses or attract natural enemies of the herbivores. Insects also use pheromones for communication, facilitates mating, foraging and group coordination. The evolutionary significance of these chemical interactions is profound i.e., driving adaptations and counter-adaptations in both plants and insects. Recent advances in chemical ecology and molecular biology have enhanced our understanding of these processes thereby revealing new insights into the mechanisms underlying chemical signalling and its applications in pest management and conservation. Overall, chemical signalling is fundamental to the intricate and dynamic relationships between insects and plants thereby shaping their evolutionary trajectories and ecological interactions.