Herbivore Oral Secretions are the First Line of Protection Against Plant‐Induced Defences

Helicoverpa zea gut‐associated bacteria indirectly induce defenses in tomato by triggering a salivary elicitor(s)

“…Although both lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae are chewing insects, there are marked differences between them in terms of oral secretions and how microbes may influence their secretions. The oral secretions of caterpillars contain regurgitant and saliva, while beetle larvae generally do not have salivary glands and their secretions are usually limited to regurgitant (Chung et al ., ; Felton et al ., ; Acevedo et al ., ). Certain species of caterpillars do not routinely regurgitate while feeding on their host plants (Peiffer & Felton, ; Louis et al ., ; Chuang et al ., ).…”

“…The laboratory-reared H. zea larvae had a much lower abundance of gutassociated bacteria compared with field-collected larvae. Thus, in order to more appropriately investigate the three-way interaction among plants, insects and insect-associated microbes (Biere & Bennett, 2013), we isolated bacteria from field-collected insects Felton et al, 2014;Acevedo et al, 2015). Certain species of caterpillars do not routinely regurgitate while feeding on their host plants (Peiffer & Felton, 2009;Louis et al, 2013;Chuang et al, 2014b).…”

“…Part of the perception processes involves self-recognition of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that trigger plant defenses against herbivores (Heil & Land, 2014). In addition to damage signals produced during feeding, herbivore-associated molecular patterns (HAMPs) or cues contained in oral secretions such as regurgitant and/or saliva play an important role in eliciting plant-specific responses to herbivory (Howe & Jander, 2008;Felton et al, 2014).…”

Insect adaptations toward plant toxins in milkweed–herbivores systems – a review

“…Beyond behavioral adaptations, herbivores can also secrete salivary effectors, either through saliva, regurgitant, or microbes, that reduce or evade plant defenses (Felton et al, 2014). Beyond behavioral adaptations, herbivores can also secrete salivary effectors, either through saliva, regurgitant, or microbes, that reduce or evade plant defenses (Felton et al, 2014).…”

“…Insects can mitigate the effects of plant defenses behaviorally by how, when, or where they feed on their host plants. Beyond behavioral adaptations, herbivores can also secrete salivary effectors, either through saliva, regurgitant, or microbes, that reduce or evade plant defenses (Felton et al, 2014). However, it is the post-ingestive mechanisms of herbivorous insects that have given rise to the most active area of inquiry on insect counter defenses .…”