Response of mirid predators to synthetic herbivore‐induced plant volatiles

Abstract

Zoophytophagous plant bugs feed on plant tissue as a source of water and nutrients, besides feeding on prey. By phytophagy, mirid predators activate plant defense responses through different pathways, resulting, among others, in the release of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). These compounds could repel herbivores and attract parasitoids and predators, and synthetic versions could potentially be used in biological control. Nevertheless, little is known about the influence of synthetic volatiles on mirid attraction. Using Y-tube olfactometer trials, we evaluated the responses of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter), Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), and Dicyphus bolivari Lindberg (Hemiptera: Miridae), important natural enemies used to control various greenhouse pests, to 10 synthetic versions of HIPVs released from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae) plants induced by N. tenuis and M. pygmaeus. Nesidiocoris tenuis responded to five of the 10 HIPVs, whereas M. pygmaeus and D. bolivari responded to four of the 10 HIPVs. Two green leaf volatiles, (Z)-3-hexenyl propanoate and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, and the ester methyl salicylate (MeSA) were attractive to all three mirid predator species. Our results demonstrate that the volatiles released by tomato plants activated by N. tenuis and M. pygmaeus phytophagy are attractive to their conspecifics and also to D. bolivari. Further studies should evaluate the potential of these compounds to attract predatory mirids in the field.

Electroantennogram and machine learning reveal a volatile blend mediating avoidance behavior by Tuta absoluta females to a wild tomato plant

“…Moreover, De-Backer et al 57 reported that antennae of the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) detect hexanal, α -pinene, and β -phellandrene. In olfactometer bioassays, other natural enemies of T. absoluta such as the parasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris (March) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were reported to be attracted to α -pinene, α -phellandrene, β -ocimene, methyl salicylate and ( E )- β -caryophyllene 33 , and the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) to α -pinene, α -phellandrene, β -ocimene and δ -3-carene 58 , and to ( Z ) - 3 - hexenol and methyl salicylate 59 . Furthermore, some of the compounds attractive to the natural enemies were emitted in high amounts by the wild tomato plant, suggesting that the use of this tomato in intercropping systems could play a double beneficial role in the control of T. absoluta , through the attraction of the natural enemies and deterrence of oviposition by the moth.…”

Terpenes from herbivore‐induced tomato plant volatiles attract Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae), a predator of major tomato pests

“…Our findings showed that the monoterpene HIPVs α‐pinene, 3‐carene, α‐phellandrene, β phellandrene and β‐ocimene are among the compounds responsible for the attraction of the predator N. tenuis to volatiles of T. absoluta ‐infested tomato plants. A previous study reported that phytophagy of tomato plants by N. tenuis induces the emission of volatiles, including the alcohol ( Z )‐3‐hexenol, the benzenoid ester methyl salicylate and the green leaf volatiles hexenyl butyrate, ( Z )‐3‐hexenyl propanoate and ( Z )‐3‐hexenyl butanoate, 57 which attracted conspecific individuals 59 . In our study, the attractive compounds were identified by testing a range of concentrations in relation to what we could expect under conditions of tomato fields where thousands of plants continuously release volatiles to remotely attract natural enemies.…”

“…A previous study reported that phytophagy of tomato plants by N. tenuis induces the emission of volatiles, including the alcohol (Z)-3-hexenol, the benzenoid ester methyl salicylate and the green leaf volatiles hexenyl butyrate, (Z)-3-hexenyl propanoate and (Z)-3-hexenyl butanoate, 57 which attracted conspecific individuals. 59 In our study, the attractive compounds were identified by testing a range of concentrations in relation to what we could The compounds were mixed at their attractive doses to make the blend B1, which was subsequently diluted to one-half (B2), one-fourth (B3) and one-tenth (B4). nr, number of nonresponsive insects (i.e.…”

Two in one: the neotropical mirid predator Macrolophus basicornis increases pest control by feeding on plants

“…16 As such, compounds shared by host plants may play a central role in determining the specificity or polyphagous behavior of natural enemies. 62,63 The HIPVs identified in this study were classified as GLVs, involving the fatty acid/lipoxygenase biosynthesis pathway, and terpenes, a product derived from the isoprenoid pathway. These two classes of compounds are constantly mentioned as important signals in plantinsect interactions, causing both repellence and attraction effects.…”