Salicylic acid

Herbivore

Biology

Gene

Host (biology)

Plant defense against herbivory

Green leaf volatiles

Ecology

Jasmonic acid

Methyl salicylate

Botany

Whitefly

Biochemistry

Defence mechanisms

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Significance Plants respond to herbivory and pathogenic infection with the synthesis of various defense compounds, including volatile compounds that are emitted into the environment. These volatiles can be perceived by neighboring plants and “prime” them for an attack by the specific attacker. We found that whitefly-infested tomato plants release volatiles that prime a defense against pathogens in neighboring plants, which goes at the cost of defenses against insect herbivores, making the neighboring plants more suitable for whitefly development. This apparent ability of whiteflies to manipulate plant defense responses through induced volatile emissions could explain the rapid spread of this invasive pest, and a good understanding of the mechanisms that are involved may lead to novel pest control strategies.

Airborne host–plant manipulation by whiteflies via an inducible blend of plant volatiles