Insect-Plant Interactions and Control

Exposure to herbivore-induced plant volatiles directly induces jasmonic acid and primes chemical defences in cotton plants

The paper shows that exposure to herbivore-induced plant volatiles increases jasmonate levels and primes chemical defenses in cotton plants, leading to enhanced toxin production and volatile emissions upon herbivory.

Effects of management on global crop pest damage depends on coevolutionary indicators

The paper examines how pest damage to crops varies globally based on coevolutionary indicators and agricultural management practices.

Exposure to (Z)-3-hexenol primes tobacco plants for faster and stronger defense without negatively affecting their ability to grow and reproduce

This study shows that exposure to (Z)-3-hexenol primes tobacco plants for stronger defense against herbivores without reducing their growth or reproductive success.

A root symbiotic endophyte reprograms tomato polyamine network to confer herbivore resistance.

This study shows that the fungal endophyte Trichoderma harzianum reprograms the tomato polyamine metabolic network to enhance herbivore resistance.

Aphid Salivary MIF Modulates Plant Programmed Cell Death and DNA Damage Response and Interacts with SOG1

This study identifies aphid MpMIF1 as a regulator of plant cell death and DNA damage response, showing its interaction with SOG1 and its role in modulating autophagy and cell cycle checkpoints.

Natural variation in expression of a plant immune receptor mediates elicitor sensitivity

The paper shows that natural variation in the expression level of the In11 receptor (INR) in common bean affects its response to the elicitor In11, but not herbivory resistance.

Loss of flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase activity confers soybean resistance to leaf-chewing insects

This study identifies a gene responsible for soybean resistance to leaf-chewing insects by showing that loss of flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase activity increases proanthocyanidins and reduces feeding damage.

Is passive dispersal informed? - Experimental evidence for decision-making in phytophagous arthropods

The paper tests if host niche breadth influences passive dispersal decisions in phytophagous mites by exposing them to host-derived kairomones and measuring departure rates.

Long-term Exposure to Methyl Jasmonate Increases Myrosinases TGG1 and TGG2 in Arabidopsis coi1 and myc2,3,4 Mutants

This study shows that long-term MeJA exposure increases TGG1 and TGG2 expression in Arabidopsis mutants, independent of the canonical JA pathway.

Multiple evolutionary events in host plant adaptation in Lepidoptera

The paper identifies two UGT genes in fall armyworms that contribute to maize toxin tolerance through distinct evolutionary paths.

Cardenolide toxin diversity impacts monarch butterfly growth and sequestration

This study shows that N,S-cardenolides in milkweed reduce monarch caterpillar growth and sequestration, with mixtures having greater negative impacts than individual toxins.

Organic mulching alters ground-dwelling arthropod communities and promotes key predators in potato agroecosystems

This study examines how organic mulching affects ground-dwelling arthropod communities in potato fields, finding increased predator abundance with triticale/vetch mulch but no long-term carry-over effects.

Host plant use is driven by microclimate not nutritional quality in a grassland butterfly

This study shows that the Small Copper butterfly chooses host plants based on microclimate rather than nutritional quality, even when warmer plants have lower nitrogen content.

Plant-induced transcriptional plasticity diverges between generalist and specialist herbivores

This study compares transcriptional plasticity in generalist and specialist aphids in response to different host plants, finding divergent gene expression patterns and differential effects of plant defense signals.

Convergent evolution of red pigmentation in extrafloral nectaries: global patterns and mechanisms

The paper investigates red pigmentation in extrafloral nectaries across 625 species, finding cold wet regions and deserts as hotspots and suggesting a fungal defense role for red pigments.

Nonlinear Impacts of Herbivory on Plants Explain the Herbivory Paradox

The paper shows that nonlinear tolerance to herbivory explains the herbivory paradox by demonstrating that plants tolerate low damage but suffer disproportionately from severe, infrequent damage.

GC-MS Based Comparative Metabolomics of Host Plants and Insect Gut Extracts

The paper compares metabolomes of host plants and insect gut extracts using GC-MS and UV-Vis, revealing distinct metabolic transformations and sex-specific differences in insect guts.

Consistent thrips biological control by Orius insidiosus on cucumber plants despite different LED lighting regimes

This study shows that Orius insidiosus consistently reduces thrips populations and foliar damage on cucumber plants regardless of LED lighting regimes.

Natural weed seed predators reduce crop yield loss due to weeds by 20% in cereal fields

This study quantifies how natural weed seed predators reduce crop yield loss by 20% in cereal fields and highlights the need for integrated weed management strategies.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and the fall armyworm modulate the morpho-physiology and the metabolome of potato plants

This study examines how Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and the fall armyworm individually and synergistically affect potato plant morphology, physiology, and metabolome.

Evolutionary constraints in host shifts: limited adaptation of Plutella xylostella to cardenolide-defended Erysimum cheiranthoides

This study examines the ability of diamondback moth to adapt to cardenolide-defended Erysimum cheiranthoides, finding limited adaptation despite existing genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity.

Drought restructures multitrophic food webs through cascading eco-physiological constraints

This study shows drought disrupts multitrophic food webs by altering plant physiology, reducing herbivore performance, and suppressing carnivore behavior through chemical cue loss.

Divergent functions of three Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) proteins in herbivore defense in poplar

This study identifies three Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) proteins in poplar with divergent roles in herbivore defense, showing that KTI_400 and KTI_600 reduce herbivore growth while KTI_53200 has no effect.

Molecular Arms Race: Tannin Biosynthesis and Laccase-Based Detoxification in the Aphid-Gall System

This study investigates tannin biosynthesis in plants and detoxification mechanisms in aphids, revealing key genes and enzymes involved in both processes and their evolutionary implications.

Arthropod predator nutrient content changes with crop sowing period with implications for biocontrol

This study examines how crop sowing timing affects arthropod predator nutrition and prey availability, finding that predator nutrient content differs between winter- and spring-sown wheat, with prey quality, not identity, driving these changes.

How does selection for flowering in maize shapes defenses components against the European Corn Borer ?

The paper examines how selection for flowering time in maize affects defense compounds and susceptibility to the European corn borer, showing genetic background-dependent outcomes.

Quantitative modelling of biological response dynamics reveals novel patterns in plant volatile signalling

The paper develops a mathematical model to quantify biological response dynamics, revealing novel patterns in plant volatile signalling and demonstrating its applicability across species.

From leaves to defenders: how the amount and dispersion of leaf damage affect extrafloral nectar production and ant-mediated protection in wild cotton

This study examines how leaf damage amount and dispersion affect extrafloral nectar production and ant-mediated protection in wild cotton, finding that dispersed damage increases nectary number and ant recruitment.

Differential induction of Medicago truncatula defence metabolites in response to rhizobial symbiosis and pea aphid infestation

This study examines how Medicago truncatula's nitrogen-fixing symbiosis primes defense against pea aphids through metabolite and gene expression changes.

Metabolomic analysis of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Bl.) leaves in response to Oligonychus ununguis feeding stress

The paper analyzes metabolomic changes in Chinese chestnut leaves under mite stress, identifying key phenylpropanoids and flavonoids associated with resistance.