Changes in the volatile profile of Brassica oleracea due to feeding and oviposition by Murgantia histrionica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

Abstract. The mixture of volatile compounds emitted by Brassica oleracea var. sabauda changed significantly in response to feeding and/or oviposition by Murgantia histrionica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Volatiles were collected from (1) healthy plants and those with (2) feeding punctures, (3) a combination of feeding punctures and oviposition, (4) feeding punctures and one hatched egg mass and (5) plants bearing only an egg mass. In the case of plants with feeding punctures or feeding punctures plus an egg mass, the volatiles were also collected at different time intervals after plants were subjected to these two treatments (0-24 h, 24-48 h and 48-72 h). Gas chromatographic and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometric analysis showed that the percent emission of several compounds changed significantly from plants subjected to the feeding and oviposition or just oviposition. Percentage of terpenes generally decreased after feeding and oviposition, although the percentage emission of (E)--caryophyllene from these plants and those with just feeding punctures significantly increased. Plants with just an egg mass emitted linalool de novo but not (E)--ocimene. The emission of jasmonates, mainly methyl jasmonate, increased from plants with feeding punctures plus an egg mass compared to those with only an egg mass. Higher percentages of the volatile glucosinolate derivatives (VGSs), mainly 4-methoxy-3-indolylacetonitrile, were emitted by plants with feeding punctures and an egg mass. The percentage emission of most of these compounds increased during the first 24 h after the treatment and then decreased over the next 24 h, except for methyl jasmonate, which remained high also 48-72 h later. The possible ecological roles of such volatiles in plant interactions with the second and third trophic levels are discussed.

Short-range allelochemicals from a plant–herbivore association: a singular case of oviposition-induced synomone for an egg parasitoid

“…Therefore, it appears that such short-range allelochemicals might be perceived as olfactory stimuli, although only from a very short distance. This aspect is quite interesting because in previous papers evidence has been reported for different quantitative/ qualitative modifications in the volatile profile of cabbage plants as a consequence of feeding and/or oviposition by M. histrionica (Conti et al, 2008;Velikova et al, 2010). This information might support the hypothesis that cabbage induced volatiles are partially adsorbed by the leaf epicuticular waxes and then slowly released.…”

Chemical Ecology of Egg Parasitoids Associated with True Bugs

“…Egg parasitoids may respond to plant synomones induced by feeding [22,41,43]. However, not only feeding but also oviposition by herbivores induces emission of plant compounds acting as synomones between the primary and tertiary trophic levels towards their respective egg parasitoids [18][19][20][21][22][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] (Table 1). Each of the above systems has unique characteristics vis-à-vis induced plant defenses.…”

“…histrionica/Tr. brochymenae (including oviposition-induced synomones) [22,62,63]; Gossypium hirsutum (Malvaceae) and other plants/L. hesperus/A.…”

“…Oviposition-induced synomones, which are directly related to the target stage, are highly reliable and detectable for egg parasitoids. Herbivore oviposition induces emission of plant compounds that act as synomones towards a variety of egg parasitoids [18][19][20][21][22][59][60][61][62][63][64][65]. This "early herbivore alert" [69] by the plant denotes a particular type of indirect induced defense, which, among parasitoids of Heteroptera, has been observed in two tritrophic systems: Vicia faba and Phaseolus vulgaris (Leguminosae)/N.…”

Enhanced Attraction of <I>Plutella xylostella</I> (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to Pheromone-Baited Traps With the Addition of Green Leaf Volatiles

“…1) of 7 female moths were investigated in this study. (Conti et al 2008), 9 (Reddy & Gurrero 2000), 10 (Geervliet et al 1997), 11 (Robertson et al 1993),12 (Evans et al 1992), 13 (Blight et al 1997), 14 (Jakobsen et al 1994), 15 (Han et al 2001), 16 (Talavera-Bianchi et al 2010, 17 (Kobayashi et al 2012). No reference indicates tat the compound is not present in Brassica hosts.…”