The herbivore-induced plant volatile methyl salicylate negatively affects attraction of the parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum

J Chem Ecol. 2010 May;36(5):479-89. doi: 10.1007/s10886-010-9787-1. Epub 2010 Apr 21.

Abstract

The indirect defense mechanisms of plants comprise the production of herbivore-induced plant volatiles that can attract natural enemies of plant attackers. One of the often emitted compounds after herbivory is methyl salicylate (MeSA). Here, we studied the importance of this caterpillar-induced compound in the attraction of the parasitoid wasp Diadegma semiclausum by using a mutant Arabidopsis line. Pieris rapae infested AtBSMT1-KO mutant Arabidopsis plants, compromised in the biosynthesis of MeSA, were more attractive to parasitoids than infested wild-type plants. This suggests that the presence of MeSA has negative effects on parasitoid host-finding behavior when exposed to wild-type production of herbivore-induced Arabidopsis volatiles. Furthermore, in line with this, we recorded a positive correlation between MeSA dose and repellence of D. semiclausum when supplementing the headspace of caterpillar-infested AtBSMT1-KO plants with synthetic MeSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arabidopsis / chemistry
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / parasitology
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Larva / physiology
  • Methyltransferases / genetics
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / chemistry
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / parasitology
  • Salicylates / pharmacology*
  • Wasps / growth & development
  • Wasps / physiology*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Salicylates
  • BSMT1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Methyltransferases
  • methyl salicylate