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Needle terpene concentrations and emissions of two coexisting subspecies of Scots pine attacked by the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)

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Abstract

Mediterranean pine forests are often attacked by caterpillars of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lep., Thaumetopoidae), one of the most important defoliators in the Mediterranean region causing large economic losses and ecological effects. The needle terpene concentrations and emissions may play a key role in the defense of pines. We studied two subspecies of Pinus sylvestris, nevadensis (an endemic and relict subspecies) and iberica , with different levels of caterpillar attack in Sierra Nevada mountains (Spain). GC–MS analyses showed large total concentrations of terpenes (6 to 39 mg g−1 of dry weight) in the needles of both subspecies under field conditions. Concentrations were 25 % higher in “Non-Attacked Trees” (NATs) of the iberica than in the nevadensis subspecies. The branches of NATs had terpene concentrations 20 % higher than those of “Attacked Branches of attacked trees” (ABs). Within attacked trees, the “Non-Attacked Branches” (NABs) also had terpene concentrations 20 % higher than those of ABs. Mainly α-pinene and germacrene D had higher concentrations in NATs and NABs than in ABs. Some terpenes had higher concentrations in NABs than in NATs, indicating possible systemic reactions. In subsp. nevadensis, the percentage of monoterpenes relative to total terpenes was higher in ABs than in other attack states. The rates of emission in nevadensis (standardized to 30 °C) were ca. three times higher in ABs than in NABs and NATs. These results suggest that the lower terpene concentrations and high percentages of monoterpenes in ABs were produced by a combination of emission losses and terpene induction in response to herbivorous attack.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Director of the Sierra Nevada National Park for permission to work in the park and for the use of the facilities. This research was supported by the Spanish Government projects CGL2006-04025/BOS, CGC2010-17172, PROPINOL PN22/2008 and Consolider Ingenio Montes (CSD2008-00040) and by the Catalan Government project SGR 2009-458. Special thanks go to Jordi Sardans, Albert Rivas, David Cruz and Laia Mateu for their collaboration in the samplings and to Rafael Poyatos for technical advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Catalonia, Spain

    Ander Achotegui-Castells, Joan Llusià & Josep Peñuelas

  2. CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CEAB-UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08913, Catalonia, Spain

    Ander Achotegui-Castells, Joan Llusià & Josep Peñuelas

  3. Grupo de Ecología Terrestre, Departamento de Biología Animal y Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain

    José A. Hódar

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  1. Ander Achotegui-Castells
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  2. Joan Llusià
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  4. Josep Peñuelas
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Correspondence to Ander Achotegui-Castells.

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Communicated by B. Barna.

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Achotegui-Castells, A., Llusià, J., Hódar, J.A. et al. Needle terpene concentrations and emissions of two coexisting subspecies of Scots pine attacked by the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa). Acta Physiol Plant 35, 3047–3058 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-013-1337-3

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