Induction of plant responses by a sequestering insect: Relationship of glucosinolate concentration and myrosinase activity

Induction of plant allelochemicals is of particular ecological importance for interactions with herbivores that can make use of induced metabolites by incorporating them for their own defence. Induction patterns in white mustard, Sinapis alba, were investigated following herbivory of the turnip sawfly, Athalia rosae, which sequesters plant glucosinolates. Larvae of different age were allowed to feed for 24 h on young leaves of premature, non-flowering plants. Changes in primary and secondary metabolites were recorded in the damaged leaves (local) and in the adjacent leaves and stems (systemic) for several days. Organ- and time-specific patterns were evident. Local responses included increases in glucosinolate concentrations, soluble and insoluble myrosinase activity and glucose levels, while systemic responses in leaves were restricted to increases in myrosinase activities and glucose. All effects were strongest immediately after feeding and declined mostly within a day. Stems had overall lower constitutive levels of glucosinolates and myrosinase activities than leaves. Feeding by one large larva had a greater impact on the plant's physiology than feeding by three small ones, even though both treatments resulted in quantitatively similar leaf destruction. Local increase in glucosinolate concentration could be beneficial for larvae, while conspecifics feeding on induced adjacent leaves might be negatively affected due to higher myrosinase activity levels. The results are discussed in the context of the ‘optimal defence theory’ and the ‘lethal plant defence paradox’.