Effect of secondary metabolites on gall fly infestation of mango leaves

Abstract

The mango gall fly (Procontarinia) is a growing concern in many countries that import mango trees. Mangoes flush (produce opening buds) twice a year: once in spring, and the main flush, which occurs in early autumn flush and corresponds to the photoperiod necessary for the gall fly to emerge. Gall flies attack only very young mango flush leaves. Three cultivars displaying varying susceptibility were used in this study: Heidi, which typically is heavily infected; Keitt, which displays antixenosis properties; and Sensation, which is resistant to gall fly attack. Headspace profiles of the three cultivars were obtained over two full growing seasons. It was found that flush leaves emit higher levels of volatile organic compounds than mature leaves. Volatile emissions peaked during the main flush, after which they declined as the tree went into the winter dormant period. The levels of a-and b-pinene increased in gall fly-susceptible cultivars as the season progressed, while very low levels of these terpenes were emitted by resistant cultivars. The changes in the profiles of these emissions suggest that aand b-pinene may be linked to gall fly susceptibility. In addition, chemometric analysis confirmed the correlation between volatile emissions and gall fly susceptibility.

Eavesdropping on gall–plant interactions: the importance of the signaling function of induced volatiles

“…37,65 In mango leaves, there is an enhancement of VOCs in gall flysusceptible cultivars compared to resistant ones, clearly relating VOC emission to gall fly susceptibility. 70 Moreover, Silphium laciniatum galled by Antistrophus rufus increases the plant volatile production employed as an olfactory cue by the parasitoid females (Euritoma lutea). 71 Consequently, this gall-parasitoid interaction helps plant fitness by reducing galling insect infestation.…”