Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vicia faba–Lygus rugulipennis Interactions: Induced Plant Volatiles and Sex Pheromone Enhancement

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 24 April 2009

Abstract

The profiles of volatile chemicals emitted by Vicia faba plants damaged by Lygus rugulipennis feeding, and by feeding plus oviposition, were shown to be quantitatively different from those released by undamaged plants. Samples of volatile chemicals collected from healthy plants, plants damaged by males as a consequence of feeding, plants damaged by females as a consequence of feeding and oviposition, plants damaged by feeding with mated males still present, and plants damaged by feeding and oviposition with gravid females still present, showed significant differences in the emission of hexyl acetate, (Z)-β-ocimene, (E)-β-ocimene, (E)-β-caryophyllene, and methyl salicylate. In particular, treatments with mated females present on plants had a significant increase in emission levels of the above compounds, possibly due to eggs laid within plant tissues or active feeding, compared with undamaged plants and plants damaged by males feeding, with or without insects still present. Furthermore, the pheromonal blend released by mated L. rugulipennis females, mainly comprising hexyl butyrate, (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate, and (E)-4-oxo-2-hexenal, was enhanced when females were active on broad bean plants, whereas such an increase was not observed in males. Both sexes gave electroantennogram responses to green leaf volatiles from undamaged plants and to methyl salicylate and (E)-β-caryophyllene emitted by Lygus-damaged plants, suggesting that these compounds may be involved in colonization of host plants by L. rugulipennis. In addition, mated males and females were responsive to hexyl butyrate, (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate, and (E)-4-oxo-2-hexenal released by mated females on V. faba, indicating that these substances could have a dual function as a possible aggregation pheromone in female–female communication, and as a sex pheromone in female–male communication.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bernays, E. A., and Chapman, R. F. 1994. Host-Plant Selection by Phytophagous Insects. Chapman & Hall, London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkett, M. A., Chamberlain, K., Guerrieri, E., Pickett, J. A., Wadhams, L. J., and Yasuda, T. 2003. Volatiles from whitefly-infested plants elicit a host-locating response in the parasitoid, Encarsia formosa. J. Chem. Ecol 29:1589–1600.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blackmer, J. L., Rodriguez-Saona, C., Byers, J. A., Shope, K. L., Smith, J. P. 2004. Behavioral response of Lygus hesperus to conspecifics and headspace volatiles of alfalfa in a Y-tube olfactometer. J. Chem. Ecol 30:1547–1564.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chamberlain, K., Guerrieri, E., Pennacchio, F., Pettersson, J., Pickett, J. A., Poppy, G. M., Powell, W., Wadhams, L. J., Woodcock, C. M. 2001. Can aphid-induced plant signals be transmitted aerially and through the rhizosphere. Biochem. Syst. Ecol 29:1063–1074.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colazza, S., Fucarino, A., Peri, E., Salerno, G., Conti, E., and Bin, F. 2004a. Insect oviposition induces volatile emission in herbaceous plants that attracts egg parasitoids. J. Exp. Biol 207:47–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colazza, S., Mcelfresh, J. S., and Millar, J. G. 2004b. Identification of volatiles synomones, induced by Nezara viridula feeding and oviposition on bean spp., that attract the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis. J. Chem. Ecol. 30:945–963.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conti, E., Zadra, Z., Salerno, G., Leombruni, B., Volpe, D., Frati, F., Marucchini, C., and Bin, F. 2008. Changes in the volatile profile of Brassica oleracea due to feeding and oviposition by Murgantia histrionica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Eur. J. Entomol 105:839–847.

  • Cook, S. M., Rasmussen, H. B., Birkett, M. A., Murray, D. A., Pye, B. J., Watts, N. P., and Williams, I. H. 2007. Behavioural and chemical ecology underlying the success of turnip rape (Brassica rapus) trap crops in protecting oilseed rape (Brassica napus) from the pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus). Arthropod-Plant Interact 1:57–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Moraes, C. M., Lewis, W. J., Paré, P. W., Alborn, H. T., and Tumlinson, J. H. 1998. Herbivore-infested plants selectively attract parasitoids. Nature 393:570–573.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deng, J.-Y., Wei, H.-Y., Huang, Y.-P., and Du, J.-W. 2004. Enhancement of attraction to sex pheromones of Spotoptera exigua by volatile compounds produced by host plants. J. Chem. Ecol 30:2037–2045.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., and van Loon, J. J. A. 2000. Multitrophic effects of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in an evolutionary context. Entomol. Exp. Appl 97:237–249.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Du, Y., Poppy, G. M., Powell, W., Pickett, J. A., Wadhams, L. J., and Woodcock, M. C. 1998. Identification of semiochemicals released during aphid feeding that attract parasitoid Aphidius ervi. J. Chem. Ecol 24:1355–1368.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frati, F., Salerno, G., Conti, E., and Bin, F. 2008. Role of the plant-conspecific complex in host location and intra-specific communication of Lygus rugulipennis. Physiol. Entomol 33:129–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaoni, Y. 1977. Lithium aluminium hydride promoted extrusion of SO2 from sulfolenes and sulfolene-adducts. 1,3-Dienes, 3-chloro-and 3,3-dichloro-1,4-dienes and skipped polyenes. Tetrahedron Lett 11:947–950.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glinwood, R., Pettersson, J., Kularatne, S., Ahmed, E., and Kumar, V. 2003. Female European tarnished plant bugs, Lygus rugulipennis (Heteroptera: Miridae), are attracted to odours from conspecific females. Acta Agric. Scand. A Anim. Sci. 53:29–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerrieri, E., Poppy, G. M., Powell, W., Rao, R., and Pennacchio, F. 2002. Plant-to-plant communication mediating in-flight orientation of Aphidius ervi. J. Chem. Ecol 28:1703–1714.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, H., and Millar, J. G. 2002. Identification, electroantennogram screening, and field bioassays of volatile chemicals from Lygus hesperus Knight (Heteroptera: Miridae). Zool. Stud 41:311–320.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holopainen, J. K., and Varis, A.-L. 1991. Host plants of the European tarnished plant bug Lygus rugulipennis Popp. (Heteroptera: Miridae). J. Appl. Entomol 111:484–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Innocenzi, P. J., Hall, D. R., Cross, J. V., Masuh, H., Phythian, S. J., Chittamaru, S., and Guarino, S. 2004. Investigation of long-range female sex pheromone of the European tarnished plant bug, Lygus rugulipennis: chemical, electrophysiological and field studies. J. Chem. Ecol 30:1509–1529.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Innocenzi, P. J., Hall, D. R., Cross, J. V., and Hesketh, H. 2005. Attraction of male European tarnished plant bug, Lygus rugulipennis to components of the female sex pheromone in the field. J. Chem. Ecol 31:1401–1413.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, A., and Baldwin, I. T. 2001. Defensive function of herbivore-induced plant volatile emissions in nature. Science 291:2141–2144.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Landolt, P. J., Heath, R. R., Millar, J., Davis-Hernandez, K. M., Dueben, B. D., and Ward, K. E. 1994. Effects of host plant, Gossypium hirsutum L., on sexual attraction of cabbage looper moths, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J. Chem. Ecol 20:2959–2974.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maddrell, S. H. P. 1969. Secretion by the Malphigian tubules of Rhodnius. The movement of ions and water. J. Exp. Biol. 51:71–97.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mcneil, J. N., and Delisle, J. 1989. Are host plants important in pheromone-mediated mating systems of Lepidoptera. Experientia 45:236–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meiners, T., and Hilker, M. 2000. Induction of plant synomones by oviposition of a phytophagous insect. J. Chem. Ecol 26:221–232.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moreira, J. A., and Millar, J. 2005. Short and simple syntheses of 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal and homologues: pheromone components and defensive compounds of Hemiptera. J. Chem. Ecol 31:965–968.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickett, J. A. 1990. GC–MS in insect pheromone identification: three extreme case histories, pp. 299–309, in A. R. McCaffery, and I. D. Wilson (eds.). Chromatography and Isolation of Insect Hormones and PheromonesPlenum, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, P. W. 1997. Insect ecology. John Wiley & Son, Inc., New York, USA.

  • Prosser, I., Altug, I. G., Philllips, A. L., Konig, W. A., Bouwmeester, H. J., and Beale, M. H. 2004. Enantiospecific (+) and (−)-germacrene D synthases, cloned from goldenrod, reveal a functionally active variant of the universal isoprenoid-biosynthesis aspartate-rich motif. Arch. Biochem, Biophys 432:136–144.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Saona, C., Crafts-Brandner, S. J., Williams, L. III, and Paré, P. W. 2002. Lygus hesperus feeding and salivary gland extracts induce volatile emissions in plants. J. Chem. Ecol 28:1733–1747.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • STATSOFT INC 2001. Statistica (data analysis software system), version 6. StatSoft Italia S.r.l., Vigonza (PD), Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turlings, T. C. J., Lengwiler, U. B., Bernasconi, M. L., and Wechsler, D. 1998. Timing of induced volatile emissions in maize seedlings. Planta 207:146–152.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Visser, J. H. 1986. Host odor perception in phytophagous insects. Annu. Rev. Entomol 31:121–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wadhams, L. J. 1990. The use of coupled gas chromatography: electrophysiological techniques in the identification of insect pheromones, pp. 289–298, in A. R. McCaffery, and I.D. Wilson (eds.). Chromatography and Isolation of Insect Hormones and PheromonesPlenum, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wegener, R., Schulz, S., Meiners, T., Hadwich, K., and Hilker, M. 2001. Analyses of volatiles induced by oviposition of the elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola on Ulmus minor. J. Chem. Ecol 27:499–515.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z., Bengtsson, M., and Witzgall, P. 2003. Host plant volatiles synergize response to sex pheromone in codling moth, Cydia pomonella. J. Chem. Ecol 30:619–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H. 1999. Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice Hall, NJ, USA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Laura Chiattelli and Donatella Marchionni for rearing Lygus bugs and Keith Plumb for growing Vicia faba plants. We also are grateful to the two anonymous reviewers and the editor for thoughtful comments. This research was financially supported by the Ministry for University and Scientific Technological Research (PRIN 2002 “Functional investigations on trophic webs, plants-Hemiptera-parasitoids, and biological control”). The authors have contributed equally to this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali-Entomologia, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121, Perugia, Italy

    Francesca Frati, Gianandrea Salerno, Eric Conti & Ferdinando Bin

  2. Biological Chemistry Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK

    Keith Chamberlain, Michael Birkett, Samuel Dufour, Patrick Mayon, Christine Woodcock, Lester Wadhams & John Pickett

Authors
  1. Francesca Frati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Keith Chamberlain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michael Birkett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Samuel Dufour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Patrick Mayon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Christine Woodcock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Lester Wadhams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. John Pickett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Gianandrea Salerno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Eric Conti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Ferdinando Bin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francesca Frati.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10886-009-9625-5

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Frati, F., Chamberlain, K., Birkett, M. et al. Vicia faba–Lygus rugulipennis Interactions: Induced Plant Volatiles and Sex Pheromone Enhancement. J Chem Ecol 35, 201–208 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-008-9572-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-008-9572-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation