Aphid-induced Defences in Chilli Affect Preferences of the Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).
The sweetpotato whitefly (WF), Bemisia tabaci, is a major pest that damages a wide range of vegetable crops in Malaysia. WF infestation is influenced by a variety of factors, including previous infestation of the host plant by other insect pests. This study investigated the effects of previous infestation of host chilli plants by the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) on the olfactory behavioural response of B. tabaci, using free-choice bioassay with a Y-tube olfactometer. We analysed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by non-infested and M. persicae-infested chilli plants using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our results showed that female WFs preferred non-infested to pre-infested plants. Collection and analysis of volatile compounds emitted by infested plants confirmed that there were significant increases in the production of monoterpenes (cymene; 1,8-cineole), sesquiterpenes (β-cadinene, α-copaene), and methyl salicylate (MeSA) compared to non-infested plants. Our results suggest that host plant infestation by aphids may induce production of secondary metabolites that deter B. tabaci from settling on its host plants. These results provide important information for understanding WF host selection and dispersal among crops, and also for manipulating WF behaviour to improve IPM in chilli.
School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, National University Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
Khalid A
KA
Saad
Horticulture Research Centre, Headquarters, MARDI-UPM, 43400, Serdang Selangor, Malaysia.
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MN
Mohamad Roff
School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
Rebecca H
RH
Hallett
School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, National University Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
A B
AB
Idris
D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000502:physiology*; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D002212:Capsicum / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology*; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000502:physiology*