Journal of Chemical Ecology (2007) 33, 1670-1681

Hayato Ishiwari, Takahisa Suzuki and Taro Maeda (2007)
Essential compounds in herbivore-induced plant volatiles that attract the predatory mite Neoseiulus womersleyi
Journal of Chemical Ecology 33 (9), 1670-1681
Abstract: Carnivorous arthropods use volatile infochemicals emitted from prey-infested plants in their foraging behavior. Although several volatile components are common among plant species, the compositions differ among prey-plant complexes. Studies showed that the predatory mite Neoseiulus womersleyi is attracted only to previously experienced plant volatiles. In this study, we identified the attractant components in prey-induced plant volatiles of two prey-plant complexes. N. womersleyi reared on Tetranychus kanzawai-infested tea leaves showed significant preference for a mixture of three synthetic compounds [mimics of the T. kanzawai-induced tea leaves volatiles: (E)-ß-ocimene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), and (E,E)-alpha-farnesene] at a level comparable to that for T. kanzawai-induced tea plant volatiles. However, mixtures lacking any of these compounds did not attract the predatory mites. Likewise, N. womersleyi reared on T. urticae-infested kidney bean plants showed a significant preference for a mixture of four synthetic compounds [mimics of the T. urticae-induced kidney bean volatiles: DMNT, methyl salicylate (MeSA), ß-caryophyllene, and (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene] at a level comparable to that for T. urticae-induced kidney bean volatiles. The absence of any of the four compounds resulted in no attraction. These results indicate that N. womersleyi can use at least four volatile components to identify prey-infested plants.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Taro Maeda

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae	Beans (Phaseolus)
	Tetranychus kanzawai	Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Neoseiulus womersleyi (predator)	Tetranychus urticae	Beans (Phaseolus)
Neoseiulus womersleyi (predator)	Tetranychus kanzawai	Tea (Camellia sinensis)