An inspiring 3-day training course in Insect Chemical Ecology, held on the premises of the Benaki Phytopathological Institute (BPI) from May 13–15, Kifissia, Greece, organized within the framework of WG2 “Applying insights from chemical ecology to promote ecosystem management and preservation”.
The course combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on laboratory training, focusing on the role of semiochemicals in insect behavior and communication. Prof. Astrid Groot (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands), Dr. Zsolt Karpati (Plant Protection Institute, Hungary), Dr. Eirini Anastasaki, and Dr. Aikaterini Psoma (BPI, Greece) served as trainers.
Participants gained practical experience in:
- Collection of headspace volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Gland extraction techniques
- Electroantennography (EAG) using different probes and antennal preparations
- Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses for VOC identification and characterization
A total of 16 participants from 12 universities and research institutes across Europe joined the course, creating an excellent environment for scientific exchange, networking, and collaboration.
The training school provided a unique opportunity to bridge theory and practice in insect chemical ecology while strengthening collaborations among early-career and senior researchers across Europe.
