Semiochemistry of Pentatomoidea

This chapter examines semiochemicals identified from species in the true bug superfamily Pentatomoidea, which includes among others the families Pentatomidae, Acanthosomatidae, Plataspidae, Scutelleridae, Cydnidae, and Tessaratomidae. Semiochemicals identified from the Pentatomoidea, as with other organisms, fulfill a wide range of communication roles for senders and receivers. In spite of the fascinating complexity of interactions involving semiochemicals, historically, many investigations into presumed stink bug semiochemicals have failed to adequately demonstrate the purported functions of the various compounds. Pentatomoidea are important in virtually all ecosystems of the world, and, as with other superfamilies of true bugs, many are herbivorous. Defensive compounds of pentatomoid bugs are produced and stored in the dorsal abdominal and metathoracic glands. The conservation of the basic biosynthetic pathways that produce classes of compounds such as terpenoids and acetogenins in insects and other organisms may provide opportunities to use engineered organisms to produce pentatomid and other insect semiochemicals.