An olfactometer is a piece of research equipment used to measure insect cue to odour (such as plant volatiles) in a controlled laboratory environment. In insect behavioural studies, researchers can measure the responses of insects to odours using olfactometers. This enables them to understand the preferences of insects to food sources or potential breeding hosts.
At the Entomology Section of PNGOPRA, an olfactometer was purchased without a fan, a critical component responsible for air circulation throughout the different chambers (odour transportation) as it was not available at the time of purchase. Attempts to purchase the unit separately from the USA failed. The need for the fan became desperate when a beneficial weed preference study for biocontrol agents was to be conducted. The evaluation of preference was a key element of the study and was imperative that the component was improvised. Lead research officer of the section for the study, Thom Batari and team eventually devised a component using a motor from a portable fan and a cut-out balloon. With the improvisation, a controllable airflow delivery system was developed, and the full olfactometer system made operational.
The beneficial weed preference study has now been completed without any issues using the improvised olfactometer. The preferred beneficial weeds for the natural enemies of insect pests (particularly sexavae and stick insects) have now been identified through the study. These weeds can be outsourced into the oil palm cropping systems, for the sustenance of the natural enemy populations. The agroecosystems can be made more attractive for natural enemies by planting them to provide shelter, nesting habitats, additional prey or carbohydrate-rich nectar. The enhancement of the biological pest control systems subsequently decreases the reliance on pesticides, thereby avoids the associated negative environmental impacts within the agroecological systems.
