褐飞虱对水稻特异性挥发物的行为反应

【目的】本研究通过测试褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens (St?l)对水稻特异性挥发物的行为反应,研究水稻特异性挥发物对褐飞虱选择行为的影响,寻找出对褐飞虱有驱避或引诱功效的水稻挥发物成分,为稻田褐飞虱综合治理提供理论基础。【方法】选择水稻十一烷、十六烷、十七烷、芳樟醇、植醇、2-乙基-1-葵醇、柠檬烯、月桂烯、壬醛、葵醛、2-十二酮、水杨酸甲酯12种挥发物,以正己烷作为溶剂分别配置1、10和100μL/mL 3种浓度处理,采用四臂嗅觉仪测试3种浓度的12种水稻挥发物对褐飞虱行为反应。【结果】发现6种水稻挥发物包括芳樟醇、水杨酸甲酯、植醇、壬醛、葵醛及2-十二酮显著驱避褐飞虱,仅发现月桂烯1种水稻挥发物成分可显著引诱褐飞虱。其中,芳樟醇和水杨酸甲酯在测试的3个浓度中均显著驱避褐飞虱,依照由低到高浓度,褐飞虱对化合物的选择率相较于对照分别下降92.3%、122.2%、242.9%（芳樟醇）,57.1%、70.6%、188.9%（水杨酸甲酯）,而其它4种驱避剂和1种引诱剂都在浓度达到100μL/mL时才显著影响褐飞虱行为反应。【结论】水稻中存在对褐飞虱具有较好驱避或引诱作用的特异性植物挥发物,可用于生产中开发有效植物源驱避剂或引诱剂用于水稻褐飞虱生态防控。     

稻飞虱卵期寄生蜂稻虱缨小蜂引诱剂的筛选与田间试验(英文)

植食性昆虫的天敌能够利用虫害诱导的挥发物进行有效的寄主或猎物定位。为了开发稻飞虱卵期天敌稻虱缨小蜂Anagrus nilaparvatae Pang et Wang的引诱剂,分别在室内和室外检测了多种褐飞虱诱导的水稻挥发物组分对褐飞虱卵期天敌稻虱缨小蜂的引诱作用。Y型嗅觉仪实验结果表明,5种单一化合物,Z-3-己烯乙酸酯,1-戊烯基-3-醇,Z-3-己烯醛,芳樟醇和水杨酸甲酯,以及3种混合物,水杨酸甲酯+Z-3-己烯醛,Z-3-己烯醛+Z-3-己烯乙酸酯+芳樟醇,水杨酸甲酯+Z-3-己烯醛+Z-3-己烯乙酸酯+芳樟醇,对稻虱缨小蜂具有明显引诱作用。田间试验表明,3种单一化合物,Z-3-己烯乙酸酯,Z-3-己烯醛和芳樟醇,以及一种混合物,水杨酸甲酯+Z-3-己烯醛+Z-3-己烯乙酸酯+芳樟醇,能明显提高稻虱缨小蜂对褐飞虱卵的寄生作用。这些结果对于改善褐飞虱治理具有重要的意义。     

烟蓟马成虫对不同植物挥发物的行为选择

【目的】评价不同植物挥发物对烟蓟马Thrips tabaci雌性成虫的行为调控作用,解析烟蓟马成虫嗅觉识别行为,为研发成虫引诱剂或驱避剂提供科学依据。【方法】利用嗅觉行为测定装置测试烟蓟马雌性成虫对不同种类、不同浓度植物挥发物的室内选择行为,筛选出具有高引诱或驱避活性的挥发物。【结果】与溶剂正己烷相比,烟蓟马雌性成虫对浓度为1μg/μL的γ-癸酸内酯、(+)α-蒎烯、芳樟醇、2-乙酸苯乙酯、(-)α-蒎烯没有显著的行为选择（P>0.05）,而壬醛、马鞭草烯酮、香茅醛、橙花醇和桉树脑对烟蓟马表现出显著的吸引作用（P<0.05）,4-乙酰吡啶、邻茴香醛、δ-癸酸内酯、顺-3-己烯醇、香叶醇和1-辛烯-3-醇的吸引作用极显著（P<0.001）;但水杨醛、香芹酚、顺茉莉醛、丁香酚和对烯丙基苯甲醚对烟蓟马表现出显著的驱避作用（P<0.05）,水杨酸甲酯、茉莉酸甲酯、百里酚和异戊醛4种挥发物具有极显著的驱避作用（P<0.001）。同时,随着测试浓度的增加,大部分挥发物对烟蓟马雌性成虫的吸引或驱避作用明显增强。【结论】δ-癸酸内酯、香叶醇、1-辛烯-3-醇、邻茴香醛和4-乙酰吡啶对烟蓟马雌性成虫具有强烈吸引作用,水杨酸甲酯、茉莉酸甲酯和百里酚则具有明显驱避效应,为开发烟蓟马行为调控剂奠定了重要基础。     

褐飞虱遇险释放挥发性物质的提取及成分分析

利用Y型嗅觉仪测定不同试验条件下褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens(Stl)对同类昆虫遭遇草间小黑蛛Erigonidium graminicolum Sundvall捕食时挥发性物质的行为反应,并利用固相微萃取、气相色谱与质谱技术分离鉴定挥发性物质。目的明确褐飞虱遇险释放挥发性物质的最佳提取条件,并分析该挥发性物质的成分。结果表明,用乙酸乙酯、甲醇和正己烷分别提取"褐飞虱2³龄若虫+草间小黑蛛成蛛"共存体释放的挥发性物质,发现乙酸乙酯提取物能引起褐飞虱极显著的逃避行为。用不同褐飞虱虫量(100、300、600头/500 mL瓶)、不同提取时间(1、3、6 h)和不同溶剂温度(15、25、35℃)分别提取"褐飞虱23龄若虫+草间小黑蛛成蛛"共存体释放的挥发性物质,发现乙酸乙酯提取物能引起褐飞虱极显著的逃避行为。用不同褐飞虱虫量(100、300、600头/500 mL瓶)、不同提取时间(1、3、6 h)和不同溶剂温度(15、25、35℃)分别提取"褐飞虱2³龄若虫+草间小黑蛛成蛛"共存体释放的挥发性物质,发现3003龄若虫+草间小黑蛛成蛛"共存体释放的挥发性物质,发现300⁶00头、3600头、3⁶ h和25℃下的提取物能引起褐飞虱极显著的逃避行为,明确了褐飞虱遇险释放挥发性物质的最佳提取条件。利用固相微萃取法分别萃取"褐飞虱26 h和25℃下的提取物能引起褐飞虱极显著的逃避行为,明确了褐飞虱遇险释放挥发性物质的最佳提取条件。利用固相微萃取法分别萃取"褐飞虱2³龄若虫"释放的挥发性物质和"褐飞虱23龄若虫"释放的挥发性物质和"褐飞虱2³龄若虫+草间小黑蛛成蛛"共存体释放的挥发性物质。气相色谱分析表明,保留时间16 min、21.5 min时,"褐飞虱"与"褐飞虱+草间小黑蛛"共存体释放的挥发物均出现新峰;保留时间10.94 min时,仅"褐飞虱+草间小黑蛛"共存体释放的挥发物出现新峰。推测保留时间10.94 min时出现的峰为褐飞虱被草间小黑蛛捕食时释放的示警挥发物。质谱分析进一步表明,这种挥发物具有与(E)-2-己烯醛相类似的化学结构,但其实际结构还需深入研究。     

三种绿叶挥发性物质对云南切梢小蠹寄主定位行为的干扰作用

为了研究环境中非寄主阔叶植物释放出的绿叶挥发性物质（GLVs）对针叶树蛀干害虫云南切梢小蠹Tomicus yunnanesis的影响, 选取了(E)-2-己烯醛、 (E)-2-己烯醇和(Z)-3-己烯醇3种释放量较大的绿叶挥发性物质, 通过室内松梢取食试验测试了单组分及两两混合后对云南切梢小蠹寄主定位行为的干扰作用。结果表明： 源于阔叶植物的3种绿叶挥发性物质及其混合物能够不同程度干扰云南切梢小蠹的寄主定位行为。当虫放入广口瓶12 h后, 3个单组分绿叶挥发性物质处理组［A： (E)-2-己烯醛, P＜0.01; B： (E)-2-己烯醇, P＜0.01; C： (Z)-3-己烯醇, P＜0.01］及2个混合组分［D： (E)-2-己烯醛+(E)-2-己烯醇, P＜0.01）; E： (E)-2-己烯醛+(Z)-3-己烯醇, P＜0.01］中滞留在松梢外部的虫数与对照组相比都有显著性差异, 绿叶挥发性物质的存在显著降低了云南切梢小蠹侵害云南松松梢的概率。但是, 24 h后只有D组（P＜0.01）和E组（P＜0.01）滞留在松梢外部的虫数与对照组相比具有显著性差异, 在48 h后只有D组（P＜0.01）与对照相比仍具有显著性差异。本研究为利用非寄主植物的次生代谢产物防治云南切梢小蠹进行了有益的探索。     

水稻挥发性次生物质对褐飞虱寄主定向及生长的影响

从褐飞虱的抗虫与感虫水稻品种植株中提取挥发性次生物质,分析其对褐飞虱的定向选择、生长发育及成虫触角电位反应影响.结果表明,感虫品种TN1挥发性次生物质对褐飞虱生物型Ⅱ若虫的取食及生长发育未表现不良作用,对其定向选择有引诱作用;而抗虫品种IR36的挥发性物质对褐飞虱为负作用,表现为褐飞虱取食添加挥发性物质的人工饲料后,其死亡率均增加,生长发育受阻,且随着浓度的增加,不良影响加大.触角电位试验结果表明褐飞虱的电位反应总的趋势是对相同浓度的TN1挥发性物质的触角电位反应值比IR36大,且触角电位值基本都随着挥发性物质浓度的升高而增大;短翅型成虫电位值强于长翅型成虫,雄性成虫的电位值强于雌性成虫.挥发性物质气质联用检测分析结果发现抗虫与感虫水稻中挥发性次生物质的化学组成及含量相差较大,从抗感两个品种的挥发性物质中共检到44种已知化合物,部分化合物对褐飞虱有引诱作用.     

荔枝蝽成虫对其臭腺分泌物组分的触角电生理和行为反应

培养皿生物测定结果表明,荔枝蝽Tessaratoma papillosa(Drury)臭腺分泌物的乙醚提取物对成虫有显著的驱避作用.气质联用仪(GC-MS)分析结果表明,荔枝蝽雌雄成虫臭腺乙醚提取物中具有5种挥发性物质,即(E)-2-辛烯醛、十一烷、十二烷、十三烷及一个未知组分.荔枝蝽对(E)-2-辛烯醛、十一烷、十二烷与十三烷这4种组分的触角电生理(EAG)反应结果表明,这些化合物均能引起荔枝蝽成虫的EAG反应,其中(E)-2-辛烯醛引起雌雄成虫触角的反应最强,分别为0.50 mV与0.4 mV;"Y"型嗅觉仪生测结果表明,(E)-2-辛烯醛对荔枝蝽成虫能产生极显著的驱避作用(P <0.01).可见,荔枝蝽成虫臭腺分泌物对荔枝蝽具有显著的生物活性,可望通过进一步研究应用于荔枝蝽的防控体系.     

二化螟盘绒茧蜂及稻虱缨小蜂对挥发物的嗅觉反应

【目的】揭示二化螟盘绒茧蜂Apanteles chilonis Munakata与稻虱缨小蜂Anagrus nilaparvatae对单一水稻挥发物组分的选择行为,了解水稻挥发物在其寄主搜寻过程中的作用,为水稻害虫寄生蜂引诱剂的研发提供技术基础。【方法】利用Y型嗅觉仪测定了二化螟盘绒茧蜂与稻虱缨小蜂对11种水稻挥发物组分(反-2-己烯醛、α-蒎烯、乙酸叶醇酯、芳樟醇、β-石竹烯、反-3-己烯醛、水杨酸甲酯、罗勒烯、苯甲醛、2-壬酮、柠檬烯)的嗅觉行为反应。【结果】β-石竹烯(10、50μg/kg)、罗勒烯(0.1、1、10μg/kg)、2-壬酮(10μg/kg)及反-2-己烯醛(50μg/kg)对二化螟盘绒茧蜂行为具有显著影响;稻虱缨小蜂对反-2-己烯醛(50μg/kg)、反-3-己烯醛(1、10、50μg/kg)、芳樟醇(0.1、1、10μg/kg)、β-石竹烯(0.1、50μg/kg)、罗勒烯(1μg/kg)、α-蒎烯(1μg/kg)和水杨酸甲酯(0.1、1、10、50μg/kg)有显著的嗅觉反应。【结论】寄生蜂对水稻挥发性气味的识别与挥发物的种类和浓度有很大关系,研发水稻害虫寄生蜂的引诱剂时需考虑挥发物的种类与浓度。     

苹褐带卷蛾成虫对主要寄主植物挥发物的触角电位反应和行为反应

【目的】苹褐带卷蛾Adoxophyes orana是危害苹果、桃、梨、枣等果树的一种重要昆虫。近年来在陕西苹果和红枣产区发生面积逐年扩大,危害日趋严重。本研究旨在明确寄主植物挥发物在苹褐带卷蛾成虫嗅觉通讯中的作用,为开发植物源引诱剂提供基础数据。【方法】利用触角电位(electroantennogram, EAG)仪测定苹褐带卷蛾2日龄未交配雌、雄成虫对51种寄主植物挥发性化合物的EAG反应;利用本实验室开发的小型蛾类昆虫嗅觉行为测试装置测定苹褐带卷蛾成虫对15种具有显著EAG反应的挥发性化合物的行为反应。【结果】EAG测试结果表明,苹褐带卷蛾成虫对不同挥发性化合物的EAG反应相对值有显著差异,雌、雄成虫对顺 3 己烯 1 醇、反 2 己烯 1 醇、1 己醇、1 庚醇、己醛、反 2 己烯醛、庚醛、辛醛、壬醛、乙酸丁酯、乙酸异戊酯和乙酸 顺 3 己烯酯的EAG反应较强。此外,雄成虫对3 甲基 1 丁醇、1 戊烯 3 醇、苯甲醛、丁酸丁酯、乙酸乙酯、三甲基巴豆酸乙酯、己酸乙酯、丙酸丁酯、异戊酸 顺 3 己烯酯、苯甲腈和柠檬腈的反应较强。在待测的51种挥发性化合物中,苹褐带卷蛾成虫对29种化合物的EAG反应具有明显性别差异,除雌虫对(-)-α-水芹烯和莰烯的EAG反应显著高于雄虫外,雌虫对其他27种挥发性化合物的EAG反应显著低于雄虫。当测试的挥发性化合物剂量在0.02~20 μg时,随剂量的增大成虫的EAG反应变化不明显;当挥发物剂量在20~200 μg时,成虫的EAG反应随剂量的增大显著升高。嗅觉行为选择试验结果表明,雌成虫对己醛、庚醛、辛醛和乙酸 顺 3 己烯酯有明显的趋性,选择率均高于58%;雄成虫对1 己醇、庚醛、乙酸异戊酯和苯甲腈有明显的趋性。【结论】苹褐带卷蛾未交配雄成虫对寄主植物挥发性化合物的EAG反应较未交配雌成虫灵敏,1 己醇、己醛、庚醛、辛醛、乙酸 顺 3 己烯酯、乙酸异戊酯和苯甲腈对苹褐带卷蛾雌蛾或雄蛾具有明显的吸引作用,可以用于开发该害虫的植物源引诱剂。     

美洲斑潜蝇蛹期化学环境对成虫嗅觉定向的影响

将美洲斑潜蝇Liriomyzasativae Blanchard蛹分别暴露于3种植物挥发物-芳 樟醇、β-子丁香烯和3- 己烯-1-醇,羽化后用Y形嗅觉仪测定雌成虫对相应挥发物的定向反 应。蛹期暴露于3-己烯-1-醇后羽化的雌成虫趋向该化合物的比率（37.7%）和平均反应时 间（21.5 s）,与对照组（30.4%,35.0 s）差异不显著;β-子丁香烯处理组雌成虫选择 该化合物的比率（46.2%）与对照组（42.0%）差异不显著,但平均反应时间（21.0 s）却显著短于对照组（41.5 s）。蛹期经芳樟醇处理后雌成虫选择该化合物的比率（52.9%）显著 高于对照组（28.4%）,平均反应时间（19.5 s）也显著短于对照组（34.5 s）。以芳樟醇为处理化合物的进一步研究表明,蛹发育早期是诱导成虫产生定向反应的敏感时期。将1、3、5 、7 日龄蛹分别暴露于芳樟醇48 h后,只有1日龄组蛹羽化的雌成虫趋向芳樟醇的比率（54%） 显著高于对照组（26%）;但1、3、5 日龄组蛹羽化的雌成虫对芳樟醇的平均反应时间均显著 短于对照组。此外,蛹期暴露于芳樟醇的持续时间也影响雌成虫对该化合物的定向反应,2日龄 蛹分别暴露于芳樟醇24、48、72、96和120 h后,只有处理时间大于72 h的雌成虫选择该化合物 的比率才显著高于对照组;但所有处理组羽化雌成虫的平均反应时间均显著低于对照组。由此 推断,美洲斑潜蝇蛹期经历的化学环境会影响成虫的嗅觉定向反应。     

Effects of water stress on plant volatile emission and insect oviposition preference in an agroecosystem

1. Drought has become more common and severe in many parts of the world due to climate change. The effect of water stress on insect oviposition preference that is key determinant for their fitness has received less attention.
2. Here, we examined how water stress may affect oviposition selection of Ostrinia furnacalis for maize plants in the greenhouse, and tested difference in volatile compounds emitted from treated maize, and electronantennogram and bioassay responses of O. furnacalis to the volatile profiles in maize plants.
3. Ostrinia furnacalis were more prone to lay eggs on the well-watered maize. Most plant volatile compounds differed significantly among the three water treatments, including increased emissions of β-caryophyllene, (E)-2-hexenal, and linalool, and decreased emission of (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol when subjected to increasing intensity of drought.
4. Varied volatile profiles of maize may drive oviposition decision of O. furnacalis, because O. furnacalis showed a clear oviposition preference for (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, while not for β-caryophyllene, (E)-2-hexenal, and linalool, at the concentration of 1000 ppm.
5. This study advances understanding of drought effects on plant–insect interactions through volatile profiles. Our finding calls for attention to oviposition selection for insect pest management in agricultural settings, especially in regions under changing precipitation patterns.

     

Fusarium infection in maize: volatile induction of infected and neighboring uninfected plants has the potential to attract a pest cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus

Fusarium infection of maize leaves and/or roots through the soil can stimulate the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is also well known that VOC emission from maize plants can repel or attract pests. In our experiments, we studied VOC induction responses of Zea mays L. ssp. mays cv. ‘Prosna’ having Fusarium infection (mix of four species) in leaves or roots, then tested for VOC induction of uninfected neighboring plants, and finally examined wind-tunnel behavioral responses of the adult cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus L. (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) behavior to four induced VOCs. In the first part of our experiment, we confirmed that several green leaf volatiles (GLVs; (Z)-3-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, 1-hexyl acetate), terpenes (β-pinene, β-myrcene, Z-ocimene, linalool, β-caryophyllene), and shikimic acid pathway derivatives (benzyl acetate, methyl salicylate, indole) were positively induced from maize plants infected by Fusarium spp. The quantities of induced VOCs were higher at 7 d than 3 d post-infection and greater when plants were infected with Fusarium on leaves rather than through soil. In the second part of our experiment, uninfected maize plants also showed significantly positive induction of several VOCs when neighboring an infected plant where the degree of induction was negatively related to the distance from the infected plant. In the third part of our experiment, a Y-tube bioassay was used to evaluate upwind orientation of adult cereal leaf beetles to four individual VOCs. Female and male O. melanopus were significantly attracted to the GLVs (Z)-3-hexenal and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, and the terpenes linalool and β-caryophyllene. Our results indicate that a pathogen can induce several VOCs in maize plants that also induce VOCs in neighboring uninfected plants, though VOC induction could increase the range at which an insect pest species is attracted to VOC inducing plants.     

稻田节肢动物群落的多样性及对褐飞虱的控制功能

对江苏江浦及安徽安庆两地五种类型稻田的节肢动物群落生物多样性研究表明,以对褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens具有抗性的粳稻田多样性指数最高。稻田蜘蛛亚群落与褐飞虱种群数量变化间存在明显的相关性,11年中64%的年份表现为显著相关。利用天敌功能指数EF=（E+P）^E/P、数值反应的方法研究了稻田蜘蛛功能团与褐飞虱种群间的生存、繁殖和数量关系,结果表明,初始EF值与褐飞虱对水稻的危害率及褐飞虱种群的未来最大饱和容量K值间呈显著相关。本文讨论了利用初始EF值来预测天敌对害虫的功能作用及生物防治与化学防治协调的可能性。     

Volatiles released from bean plants in response to agromyzid flies

Liriomyza sativae Blanchard and Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) are two invasive flies in China that have caused economical damage on vegetables and ornamental plants. In this article, we report the profiles of emitted volatiles from healthy, mechanically damaged, and leafminer-damaged bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., plants. Among 25 emitted volatiles identified, (E)-2-hexen-1-al, (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (syn)- and (anti)-2-methylpropanal oxime, (syn)-2-methylbutanal oxime, linalool, and (E,E)-α-farnesene were consistently released from damaged bean plants. Combined amounts of these nine compounds made up more than 70% of the total volatiles emitted from each treatment. No qualitative differences in volatile emission were found between bean plants damaged by the two fly species; however, amounts of several major compounds induced by L. huidobrensis damage were significantly higher than those from plants damaged by L. sativae. The mechanically damaged plants released a higher proportion of green leaf volatiles than plants in the other treatments, whereas leafminer-damaged plants produced more terpenoids and oximes. Furthermore, the volatile profiles emitted from plants, damaged by adult leafminers, by second instar larvae, and even the plants with empty mines left by leafminer larvae (the pupal stage) were significantly different. The identification of volatile oximes released from damaged plants was confirmed and is discussed in a behavioral and biological control context.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Identification of plant chemicals attracting and repelling whiteflies

The harmful side effects of chemical pest control have focused increasing attention on the potential for environmentally friendly, sustainable and efficient methods to control the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). One control method employs a volatile repellent (push), and an alluring volatile trap (pull) to manipulate the distribution and control the whitefly. Here, a Y-tube olfactometer was used to investigate the orientation responses of the whitefly toward the volatile components of six plants: tomato, tobacco, cabbage, cotton, cucumber and celery. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify extracts from the six plants. Six treatments were conducted to demonstrate the “push–pull” method’s effects on the host selection behaviors of B. tabaci in a greenhouse. Four of the plant extracts tested had exceedingly attractive effects on the adult insects, but not those from celery. B. tabaci exhibited a prominent attraction response to (E)-2-hexenal, 3-hexen-1-ol and mixtures of these compounds, with the response rates exceeding 80 % for all tested proportions. Limonene diluted 500 times had a 62 % greater deterrent effect on adults than was observed in its absence, and it repelled egg-laying by more than 80 % in the greenhouse experiment. These data show that (E)-2-hexenal, 3-hexen-1-ol and limonene can be expected to be used for the “push–pull” method to control B. tabaci.     

Timing of induced volatile emissions in maize seedlings

Maize (Zea mays L.) releases specific volatiles in response to herbivory by caterpillars. These volatiles are known to serve as cues for parasitic wasps to locate the herbivores. In the present study the exact time of volatile emission after simulated herbivory (mechanical damage and treatment with caterpillar regurgitant) was measured for seedlings of the cultivars “Ioana Sweet Corn” and “LG11”. Odours were collected every 0.5 h for a total of 12 h. Typical “green leaf odours”, (Z)-3-hexenal, (E )-2-hexenal, (Z)-hexen-1-o1, and (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, were emitted immediately upon damage and their amounts dropped rapidly after the first collections. Several of the induced compounds were released within 2 h after treatment, while others (mainly sesquiterpenoids) started to be released after 4 h. The LG11 seedlings emitted several compounds (e.g. β-myrcene, (Z)-β-ocimene, benzyl acetate, β-caryophyllene, (E,E )-α-farnesene) that were not detected for Ioana. (E,E )-α-farnesene was continuously emitted by LG11 seedlings, even by undamaged plants. Timing of the release of volatile compounds that the two varieties had in common did not differ significantly, with the exception of indole for which the peak production was considerably earlier for LG11. These findings are discussed in the context of biosynthetic pathways and mechanisms involved in induced emissions of plant volatiles and the exploitation of the resulting odour by parasitoids and predators of herbivores. Received: 23 October 1997 / Accepted: 9 June 1998     

Assays for the effects of volatile compounds from artificially damaged cotyledons of subterranean clover on the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor

The effects on the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) (Acarina: Penthaleidae) of volatile compounds released from artificially damaged cotyledons of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), a host plant, were investigated with different assays. Mites were repelled by the volatile compounds in flask tube and in trimmed cotyledon disc tests. No differences could be shown between different tissue amounts and between resistant and susceptible varieties. When a membrane sachet was used containing either 2-(E)-hexenal, a compound produced by damaged subclover cotyledons, or the total volatile compounds collected from damaged cotyledons of Dalkeith (susceptible) admixed with 1% glucose, mites gathered to low but were deterred by high concentrations of the compounds. Volatile compounds collected from the resistant variety DGI007 were more deterrent than those from the susceptible Dalkeith. Membrane sachets containing 30 p.p.m. of 2-(E)-hexenal and 1% glucose were less preferred than cotyledons of Dalkeith (susceptible) but were not different from DGI007 (resistant). By increasing the glucose concentration to 5%, the membrane sachets with 30 p.p.m. of 2-(E)-hexenal were preferred to cotyledons of either variety. The results indicate that the membrane feeding technique provides a sensitive way of assaying volatile compounds from damaged subclover cotyledons against the mite.     

Gastrophysa polygoni herbivory on Rumex confertus: single leaf VOC induction and dose dependent herbivore attraction/repellence to individual compounds

We report large induction (>65_fold increases) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a single leaf of the invasive weed mossy sorrel, Rumex confertus Willd. (Polygonaceae), by herbivory of the dock leaf beetle, Gastrophysa polygoni L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The R. confertus VOC blend induced by G. polygoni herbivory included two green leaf volatiles ((Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate) and three terpenes (linalool, ß-caryophyllene, (E)-ß-farnesene). Uninjured leaves produced small constitutive amounts of the GLVs and barely detectable amounts of the terpenes. A Y-tube olfactometer bioassay revealed that both sexes of adult G. polygoni were attracted to (Z)-3-hexenal and (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate at a concentration of 300 ng h⁻¹. No significant G. polygoni attraction or repellence was detected for any VOC at other concentrations (60 and 1500 ng h⁻¹). Yet, G. polygoni males and females were significantly repelled by (or avoided) at the highest test concentration (7500 ng h⁻¹) of both GLVs and (E)-ß-farnesene. Mated male and female G. polygoni might be attracted to injured R. confertus leaves, but might avoid R. confertus when VOC concentrations (especially the terpene (E)-ß-farnesene) suggest high overall plant injury from conspecifics, G. viridula, or high infestations of other herbivores that release (E)-ß-farnesene (e.g., aphids). Tests in the future will need to examine G. polygoni responses to VOCs emitted directly from uninjured (constitutive) and injured (induced) R. confertus, and examine whether R. confertus VOC induction concentrations increase with greater tissue removal on a single leaf and/or the number of leaves with feeding injury.     

Between plant and diurnal variation in quantities and ratios of volatile compounds emitted by Vicia faba plants

Ratios of volatile phytochemicals potentially offer a means for insects to recognise their host-plant species. However, for this to occur ratios of volatiles would need to be sufficiently consistent between plants and over time to constitute a host-characteristic cue. In this context we collected headspace samples from Vicia faba plants to determine how consistent ratios of key volatile phytochemicals used in host location by one of its insect pests, the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, were. These were (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, benzaldehyde, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, octanal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, (R)-linalool, methyl salicylate, decanal, undecanal, (E)-caryophyllene, (E)-β-farnesene, (S)-germacrene D, and (E, E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene, which had previously been found to be electrophysiologically and behaviourally active to A. fabae. Although the quantities of volatiles produced by V. faba showed large between plant and diurnal variation, correlations between quantities of compounds indicated that the ratios of certain pairs of volatiles were very consistent. This suggests that there is a host-characteristic cue available to A. fabae in the form of ratios of volatiles.