Ecology Letters (2011) 14, 1075-1083

Amanuel Tamiru, Toby J.A. Bruce, Christine M. Woodcock, John C. Caulfield, Charles A.O. Midega, Callistus K.P.O. Ogol, Patrick Mayon, Michael A. Birkett, John A. Pickett and Zeyaur R. Khan (2011)
Maize landraces recruit egg and larval parasitoids in response to egg deposition by a herbivore
Ecology Letters 14 (11), 1075-1083
Abstract: Natural enemies respond to herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), but an often overlooked aspect is that there may be genotypic variation in these 'indirect' plant defence traits within plant species. We found that egg deposition by stemborer moths (Chilo partellus) on maize landrace varieties caused emission of HIPVs that attract parasitic wasps. Notably, however, the oviposition-induced release of parasitoid attractants was completely absent in commercial hybrid maize varieties. In the landraces, not only were egg parasitoids (Trichogramma bournieri) attracted but also larval parasitoids (Cotesia sesamiae). This implies a sophisticated defence strategy whereby parasitoids are recruited in anticipation of egg hatching. The effect was systemic and caused by an elicitor, which could be extracted from egg materials associated with attachment to leaves. Our findings suggest that indirect plant defence traits may have become lost during crop breeding and could be valuable in new resistance breeding for sustainable agriculture.
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Database assignments for author(s): Amanuel Tamiru, John A. Pickett, Toby J.A. Bruce, Michael A. Birkett, Callistus K.P.O. Ogol, Zeyaur R. Khan, Charles A.O. Midega

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Chilo partellus	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
Cotesia sesamiae (parasitoid)	Chilo partellus	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
Trichogramma bournieri (parasitoid)	Chilo partellus	Maize/corn (Zea mays)