title: A herbivore that manipulates plant defence.
abstract: Phytopathogens and herbivores induce plant defences. Whereas there is evidence that some pathogens suppress these defences by interfering with signalling pathways involved in the defence, such evidence is scarce for herbivores. We found that the invasive spider mite Tetranychus evansi suppresses the induction of the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signalling routes involved in induced plant defences in tomato. This was reflected in the levels of inducible defence compounds, such as proteinase inhibitors, which in mite-infested plants were reduced to even lower levels than the constitutive levels in herbivore-free plants. Additionally, the spider mite suppressed the release of inducible volatiles, which are implicated in plant defence. Consequently, the mites performed much better on previously attacked plants than on non-attacked plants. These findings provide a new perspective on plant-herbivore interactions, plant protection and plant resistance to invasive species.
authors.affiliation: IBED, Section Population Biology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Renato Almeida
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sarmento
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Petra M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bleeker
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Schuurink
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pallini
authors.forename: Maria Goreti Almeida
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Eraldo R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Merijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kant
authors.forename: Maurice W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Sabelis
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janssen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D058865:Introduced Species; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000502:physiology*; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D012098:Reproduction; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D040102:Tetranychidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003517:Cyclopentanes; D054883:Oxylipins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; C011006:jasmonic acid; D020156:Salicylic Acid