trans-β-Farnesene is a bio-derived volatile sesquiterpene hydrocarbon that can polymerize, generating polymers with excellent properties[1]. trans-β-Farnesene acts as the aphid alarm pheromone, which was the effective kairomone for the ladybird[2]. trans-β-Farnesene is recognized to induce wing dimorphism in aphids, possibly through olfactory detection mechanisms[3]. trans-β-Farnesene has a dual and conflicting function. On the one hand, trans-β-Farnesene protects aphids from predation as an alarm pheromone; on the other hand, trans-β-Farnesene attracts aphid predators when emitted by attacked plants. This balanced function may have driven aphid–predator coevolution[3].
References:
[1] de Sá M C C, Cordova T, Melo P A, et al. Modelling and parameter estimation of trans‐β‐farnesene coordination polymerization[J]. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2023, 101(9): 5256-5269.
[2] Francis F, Lognay G, Haubruge E. Olfactory responses to aphid and host plant volatile releases:(E)-β-farnesene an effective kairomone for the predator Adalia bipunctata[J]. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2004, 30(4): 741-755.
[3] Wang B, Jacquin-Joly E, Wang G. The role of (E)-β-farnesene in tritrophic interactions: biosynthesis, chemoreception, and evolution[J]. Annual Review of Entomology, 2025, 70(1): 313-335.
trans-β-Farnesene是一种生物来源的挥发性倍半萜烯烃类化合物，可通过聚合反应生成具有优异性能的聚合物[1]。trans-β-Farnesene作为蚜虫报警信息素，同时也是瓢虫的有效利它素[2]。研究表明trans-β-Farnesene能够通过嗅觉检测机制诱导蚜虫产生翅型二态性[3]。trans-β-Farnesene具有双重且相互矛盾的功能：一方面作为报警信息素保护蚜虫免受捕食；另一方面当受攻击植物释放trans-β-Farnesene时又会吸引蚜虫天敌，这种平衡功能可能驱动了蚜虫与捕食者的协同进化[3]。