Pheromone mimic repels aphids: South American potato

1 of 1 Aphid secreting defensive fluid / Sanjay Achar.. / License

Chemicals emitted from a wild South American potato species repels aphids because it mimics the aphids' alarm pheromone.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Animals

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Non-toxic pest inhibitors.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"A wild species of South American potato discharges a message-chemical, a pheromone, which resembles that emitted by aphids when they are under attack. So those aphids never land on it." (Attenborough 1995:68)

About the inspiring organism

Solanum
Solanum

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Non-toxic pest inhibitors.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Agriculture, cleaning industry

References

Attenborough, D. 1995. The Private Life of Plants: A Natural History of Plant Behavior. London: BBC Books. 320 p.

Pheromone mimic repels aphids: South American potato

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