1 research outputs found
Chrysolina herbacea Modulates Terpenoid Biosynthesis of Mentha aquatica L.
Interactions between herbivorous insects and plants storing terpenoids are poorly
understood. This study describes the ability of Chrysolina
herbacea to use volatiles emitted by undamaged Mentha
aquatica plants as attractants and the plant's response to
herbivory, which involves the production of deterrent molecules. Emitted plant
volatiles were analyzed by GC-MS. The insect's response to plant volatiles
was tested by Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. Total RNA was extracted from
control plants, mechanically damaged leaves, and leaves damaged by herbivores.
The terpenoid quantitative gene expressions (qPCR) were then assayed. Upon
herbivory, M. aquatica synthesizes and emits
(+)-menthofuran, which acts as a deterrent to C. herbacea.
Herbivory was found to up-regulate the expression of genes involved in terpenoid
biosynthesis. The increased emission of (+)-menthofuran was correlated with
the upregulation of (+)-menthofuran synthase