New trend in pest management: Biotremology

Abstract

Insect communication is a complex and dynamic system crucial for survival, employing various channels such as visual, pheromonal, tactile, and vibrational signals. Vibrational communication, in particular, plays an essential role in the interactions between insects and their environment. It can be used for various behaviors, including foraging, mating, competition, and parental care. Biotremology, the study of mechanical vibrations in biological systems, explores how vibrations affect insect behavior and how plants respond to these vibrations, sometimes fostering mutual interactions with insects. Vibrations, which can be transmitted through solid, liquid, or gas mediums, have been studied in various contexts, including ecosystem monitoring and pest management. The field has received increasing attention due to its potential applications in pest control, especially in light of the environmental damage caused by chemical pesticides. Recent studies have focused on disrupting insect communication through vibrational signals, offering a promising alternative to traditional pest management techniques. This multidisciplinary field integrates knowledge from entomology, ecology, and engineering to understand and apply vibrational communication in agriculture, with a focus on integrated pest management (IPM) and the protection of plant health.