Female adult puncture-induced plant volatiles promote mating success of the pea leafminer via enhancing vibrational signals

Abstract

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) synergize with the sex pheromones of herbivorous insects to facilitate mate location. However, the synergism of HIPVs and acoustic signals for sexual communication remains unknown. Here, we investigated the synergy between HIPVs and vibrational duets for sexual communication and mating in the pea leafminer ( Liriomyza huidobrensis ). Our results indicated that adult leafminers do not produce species-specific pheromone, and female-puncture-induced plant volatiles facilitate the attraction of both sexes to host plant leaves and sexual encounters. Insect-derived cues do not participate in mate locations. Both sexes do not produce qualitatively different cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), and CHCs from females cannot elicit the antennal and behavioural responses of males. By contrast, induced green leaf volatiles, terpenoids and oximes elicit dramatic antennal responses in both sexes. Electrophysiological and behavioural tests consistently showed that the volatiles (Z)-3-hexenol and (Z)-3-hexenyl-acetate elicited the most intense gas chromatographic-electroantennographic responses, and attracted males and females. Remarkably, these volatiles significantly promoted the occurrence of vibrational duets between the sexes, thereby increasing the mating success of leafminers. Therefore, the synergism of HIPVs and vibrational signals largely promoted the mating success of leafminers, suggesting an alternative control strategy through precision trapping for non-pheromone-producing insects. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Biotic signalling sheds light on smart pest management’.

Herbivory of a biocontrol agent on a native plant causes an indirect trait‐mediated non‐target effect on a native insect

“…(2016) found in Populus nigra that ( Z )‐3‐hexenol increased after Lymantria dispar herbivory and acted as a cue to attract con‐specifics. Such attraction by ( Z )‐3‐hexenol was also found in Phaseolus vulgaris with Liriomyza huidobrensis (Ge et al., 2019). In contrast, ( Z )‐3‐hexenol displayed a repellent effect on foraging behaviour and oviposition preference of Ostrinia furnacalis (Huang et al., 2009) and the flea beetle (Li et al., 2017).…”

Components and composition of active volatiles attract on Diorhabda tarsalis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Rosales: Leguminoseae)

“…Other plant species produce specific substances, such as allyl isothiocyanate by crucifers via cleavage and metabolism of mustard oil glycosides, and benzaldehyde by prune trees via prunasin degradation (Visser and Van der Maas, 1978). Plant volatiles are often synergistic/interactive with insect pheromones (Dickens, 2006;Benelli et al, 2014;Ge et al, 2019). For example, male Melolontha hippocastani (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) accurately locate host plants with the help of plant volatiles and sex pheromones emitted by conspecific females (Reinecke et al, 2002;Ruther et al, 2002).…”

Attraction of the biocontrol agent, Lema praeusta, towards two Commelinaceae weed volatiles

“…(2011), the application of synthetic green leaf volatiles (GLVs) in the field synergistically affected isoprenoid emission from maize plants and unexpectedly resulted an increase in herbivore damage without significantly attracting predator of the insect herbivore. At the same time, HIPVs released after feeding by L. praeusta females can constitute important cues for attraction of males for food and mating (Bachmann et al., 2015; Ge et al., 2019; Xu & Turlings, 2018). Thus, feeding by both sexes of L. praeusta on both C. benghalensis and M. nudiflora weeds in the rice field could cause the death of weeds and, ultimately, result in reduced use of synthetic herbicides.…”