Herbivore-induced plant volatiles accurately predict history of coexistence, diet breadth, and feeding mode of herbivores

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) serve as specific cues to higher trophic levels. Novel, exotic herbivores entering native foodwebs may disrupt the infochemical network as a result of changes in HIPV profiles. Here, we analysed HIPV blends of native Brassica rapa plants infested with one of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The New phytologist 2018-11, Vol.220 (3), p.726-738
Main Authors: Danner, Holger, Desurmont, Gaylord A., Cristescu, Simona M., Dam, Nicole M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allelochemicals
aphids
Brassica
Brassica rapa
Brassicaceae
caterpillars
Chewing
Coexistence
Diet
Feeding
Feeding behavior
Herbivores
invasive herbivores
isothiocyanates
Mastication
Mathematical models
Mixtures
Native organisms
plant–herbivore interactions
Profiles
slugs
Spodoptera exigua
terpenes
Trichoplusia ni
Trophic levels
Volatiles
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Summary:Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) serve as specific cues to higher trophic levels. Novel, exotic herbivores entering native foodwebs may disrupt the infochemical network as a result of changes in HIPV profiles. Here, we analysed HIPV blends of native Brassica rapa plants infested with one of 10 herbivore species with different coexistence histories, diet breadths and feeding modes. Partial least squares (PLS) models were fitted to assess whether HIPV blends emitted by Dutch B. rapa differ between native and exotic herbivores, between specialists and generalists, and between piercing–sucking and chewing herbivores. These models were used to predict the status of two additional herbivores. We found that HIPV blends predicted the evolutionary history, diet breadth and feeding mode of the herbivore with an accuracy of 80% or higher. Based on the HIPVs, the PLS models reliably predicted that Trichoplusia ni and Spodoptera exigua are perceived as exotic, leaf-chewing generalists by Dutch B. rapa plants. These results indicate that there are consistent and predictable differences in HIPV blends depending on global herbivore characteristics, including coexistence history. Consequently, native organisms may be able to rapidly adapt to potentially disruptive effects of exotic herbivores on the infochemical network.
ISSN:0028-646X
1469-8137
DOI:10.1111/nph.14428