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Plants
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Chemical Ecology of Plant and Insect Pests
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Chemical Ecology of Plant and Insect Pests

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2025) | Viewed by 4433

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Vincas Būda

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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Chemical and Behavioural Ecology, State Research Institute Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: plan-insect interaction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chemical ecology covers the field of interaction between organisms by means of chemicals which they produce and release into the environment. This is an extremely wide field of research, both because of the abundance of species of organisms interacting in this way, and because of the large variety of chemical compounds involved in the interactions. This area belongs to interdisciplinary research, since it requires both knowledge of biology, ecology and chemistry, and the use of research methods of the sciences mentioned above. Modern chemical ecology was born around 1959, when landmark works on insects and plants were published: specifically, when Adolf Butenandt identified the first insect pheromone and when Gottfried S Fraenkel published the landmark paper “The Raison d’être of Secondary Plant Substances”.

Since then, both plants and (especially) insects and their interactions have received numerous studies. It is well known that in order to regulate the abundance of plant pests using environmentally friendly means, without the use of insecticides, it is necessary to know their biology and ecology, including chemical ecology, as best as possible. Much more research needs to be carried out to understand why a phytophagous insect pest successfully attacks; why it feeds on plants of one species, or even variety, but does not touch others; how plants defend themselves against pests using chemical means of their own production; how the signals necessary for mobilizing this defence are produced and transmitted; which secondary metabolites become as important as the primary ones; and which of them can become a target for creating pest-resistant varieties of cultivated plants using genetic engineering methods.

We welcome your contributions to the research on these and many other issues not mentioned here, related to the interactions by means of chemical compounds in plants and phytophagous insects that feed and damage them, and therefore become pests. We hope that this Special Issue will expand the boundaries of knowledge and generate new data and information within the field of chemical ecology, which is necessary both for botanists who study plants and agronomists who cultivate them, as well as for entomologists and plant protection specialists.

Prof. Dr. Vincas Būda
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • semiochemicals
  • attractants
  • repellents
  • bioassay
  • bioactive metabolites
  • allelopathic interactions
  • plant chemical defence
  • plant–insect interaction
  • insect–plant interaction
  • chemical arm race

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1409 KiB  
Article
Potential of Essential Oils and Major EO Constituents in the Chemical Control of Spodoptera frugiperda
by Virginia Lara Usseglio, Magalí Beato, José Sebastián Dambolena and María Paula Zunino
Plants 2025, 14(14), 2204; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14142204 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 145
Abstract
Spodoptera frugiperda is a major agricultural pest worldwide, causing significant economic loss to maize crops. Its control largely depends on synthetic pesticides, which contribute to resistance development, harm non-target organisms, and lead to environmental degradation. Essential oils and their main components offer a [...] Read more.
Spodoptera frugiperda is a major agricultural pest worldwide, causing significant economic loss to maize crops. Its control largely depends on synthetic pesticides, which contribute to resistance development, harm non-target organisms, and lead to environmental degradation. Essential oils and their main components offer a more sustainable and ecologically sound alternative for the management of S. frugiperda. This study evaluated the effects of selected essential oils and their bioactive compounds on the survival and behavior of S. frugiperda using toxicity and preference assays. Peppermint essential oil and its major constituent, pulegone, significantly reduced the survival of S. frugiperda, with effects similar to those caused by synthetic insecticides. Eucalyptus essential oil and its main compound, 1,8-cineole, also influenced the behavior of S. frugiperda, suggesting potential for use in repellents. These findings highlight the use of essential oils and their main constituents/active constituents as bioinsecticides and their integration into environmentally friendly pest management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology of Plant and Insect Pests)
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14 pages, 1321 KiB  
Article
Olfactory Responses of Frankliniella occidentalis and Orius similis to Volatiles from Houttuynia cordata: Implications for Thrip Management
by Guang Zeng, Shuo Lin, Feiyu Jiang, Changrong Zhang, Rongrong Yuan, Shuai Huang, Lijuan Wang, Yu Cao, Filippo Maggi and Giacinto Salvatore Germinara
Plants 2025, 14(12), 1855; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14121855 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 426
Abstract
Thrips can be attracted or repelled by volatiles from different host plant species. Houttuynia cordata is a common plant species with a strong, offensive smell, and few pests have been detected on this plant. Here, the olfactory responses of Frankliniella occidentalis to H. [...] Read more.
Thrips can be attracted or repelled by volatiles from different host plant species. Houttuynia cordata is a common plant species with a strong, offensive smell, and few pests have been detected on this plant. Here, the olfactory responses of Frankliniella occidentalis to H. cordata volatiles were tested using electroantennography (EAG) and behavioral bioassays in different types of olfactometers, and the behavioral responses of Orius similis, a natural enemy of F. occidentalis, to the related main volatile compounds were also evaluated. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays showed that F. occidentalis performed negative responses to H. cordata volatiles. Decanal (47.21%), 1-decanol (11.02%), dodecanal (7.13%), β-myrcene (5.12%), and decanoyl acetaldehyde (3.76%) were the more abundant components in the H. cordata volatile profile in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. EAG recordings showed that the antennae of female thrips could perceive these five compounds at a wide range of concentrations. In six-arm olfactometer bioassays, F. occidentalis exhibited negative responses to decanal, dodecanal, and decanoyl acetaldehyde at various doses but performed positive responses to 1-decanol and β-myrcene at certain doses. Furthermore, decanal, dodecanal, and decanoyl acetaldehyde at all concentrations showed no significant influences on the behavioral responses of O. similis. According to the results above, H. cordata can be a repellent plant species to F. occidentalis, and decanal, dodecanal, and decanoyl acetaldehyde show great potential for development as repellents for the control of F. occidentalis. In short, our results suggest that an integrated pest management system combining H. cordata-derived biopesticides with releases of the predator O. similis could effectively control F. occidentalis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology of Plant and Insect Pests)
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20 pages, 1457 KiB  
Article
Variation in Odour Profiles of Cauliflower, Curly Kale and Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) Cultivars Is Affected More by Genotype Rather than Herbivore Feeding
by Raimondas Mozūraitis, Peter Hambäck, Anna-Karin Borg-Karlson and Richard James Hopkins
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071014 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 362
Abstract
Volatile plant compounds are essential for host plant selection by herbivores and particularly important for the behaviour of parasitoids seeking larvae in which to lay eggs. Headspace extracts were collected from intact plants of four Brassica oleracea genotypes, as well as from plants [...] Read more.
Volatile plant compounds are essential for host plant selection by herbivores and particularly important for the behaviour of parasitoids seeking larvae in which to lay eggs. Headspace extracts were collected from intact plants of four Brassica oleracea genotypes, as well as from plants damaged by larvae of Mamestra brassicae or Pieris rapae. In total, 52 volatiles present in the headspaces of four genotypes were selected for multivariate analyses. The most abundant groups of volatiles were terpenes and esters, represented by 20 and 14 compounds, respectively. The qualitative and quantitative differences in odour profiles between the four genotypes were sufficient to differentiate between groups using multivariate analysis techniques. The most distinct volatile blends originated from curly kale, followed by cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Multivariate analysis revealed that genotypes affected the composition of the volatile blends to a large extent compared to the herbivore damage by the different species tested. In curly kale, broccoli and cauliflower, the differences in odour bouquets were more expressed between plants with and without active feeding, independent of the herbivore identity, while in cabbage, larger differences were observed between odour profiles with different herbivore feedings, independent of whether the herbivore was present or removed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology of Plant and Insect Pests)
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11 pages, 1892 KiB  
Communication
Seed Fatty Acids Modify Oviposition of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
by Gabrielė Bumbulytė, Arijus Auškalnis and Vincas Būda
Plants 2025, 14(6), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14060848 - 8 Mar 2025
Viewed by 651
Abstract
Plant–insect interactions mediated by chemical compounds are well documented in roots and above-ground plant parts except seeds. The latter chemoecological interactions remain poorly studied. The chemical composition of seeds, including attractive, repellent, or inhibitory compounds, likely influences oviposition behavior, yet specific studies on [...] Read more.
Plant–insect interactions mediated by chemical compounds are well documented in roots and above-ground plant parts except seeds. The latter chemoecological interactions remain poorly studied. The chemical composition of seeds, including attractive, repellent, or inhibitory compounds, likely influences oviposition behavior, yet specific studies on this subject are scarce. This study evaluated the oviposition behavior of the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)) on substrates of common oat (Avena sativa L. (Poales: Poaceae)), common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. (Poales: Poaceae)), rapeseed (Brassica napus L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae)), and pure sand. Females laid the most eggs on oat and wheat substrates, while oviposition on sand was reduced by 22%. The chemoreceptors located in the antennae of T. molitor were found not to influence oviposition. Hexane extracts of oat flour were found to contain oviposition-inhibiting compounds, identified as fatty acids. Behavioral tests showed that oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and stearic acids inhibited oviposition at concentrations ranging from 5% to 0.5%. A lower concentration (0.05%) did not have this effect. Additionally, linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids exhibited repellent properties, whereas stearic acid did not. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing substrate composition to enhance T. molitor reproduction. This has applications for small-scale laboratory research and large-scale industrial production, supporting the use of T. molitor as an alternative protein source for feed and food. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology of Plant and Insect Pests)
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19 pages, 1669 KiB  
Article
Mite Infestation Induces a Moderate Oxidative Stress in Short-Term Soybean Exposure
by Wesley Borges Wurlitzer, Julia Renata Schneider, Joaquim A. G. Silveira, Maria Goreti de Almeida Oliveira and Noeli Juarez Ferla
Plants 2025, 14(4), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040590 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 663
Abstract
Phytophagous mites are herbivores that feed on various economically important plants, such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril]. Thus, our objective is to evaluate the oxidative stress stage of soybean plants infested by Tetranychus ludeni Zacher. Leaflets from three trifoliate leaves were [...] Read more.
Phytophagous mites are herbivores that feed on various economically important plants, such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril]. Thus, our objective is to evaluate the oxidative stress stage of soybean plants infested by Tetranychus ludeni Zacher. Leaflets from three trifoliate leaves were pooled to form composite samples for each exposure time and evaluated at the following evaluation times: 0 h, 20 min, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h. In the initial phase of infestation (20 min), an oxidative burst was observed, represented by prominent hydrogen peroxide accumulation rather than superoxide radicals. This oxidative burst occurred in parallel to a strong increase in the antioxidant activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase, but not in that of superoxide dismutase. These changes likely reflected an enhanced activation of signaling pathways involved in the oxidative stress response. After this initial phase, from 20 min to 6 h, a prominent decrease occurred in catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferases activities, despite the hydrogen peroxide levels remaining significantly elevated, along with a marked but transient increase in the reduced glutathione content and proline. Interestingly, superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly after 6 h in parallel to lipid peroxidation, whereas the content of hydrogen peroxide remained elevated until 12 h of infestation. By the final evaluation, after 48 h of infestation, some redox indicators remained altered in relation to control plants, but in a state of moderate redox stress. Thus, in an unprecedented way, our data suggest that T. ludeni infestation triggered a moderate oxidative stress response in soybean plants. These findings highlight that proper monitoring and management can reduce economic losses without resorting to aggressive chemical interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology of Plant and Insect Pests)
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20 pages, 4100 KiB  
Article
The Utility of Visual and Olfactory Maize Leaf Cues in Host Finding by Adult Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
by Jie Liu, Mariam Tallat, Gensong Wang, Guoping Li, Haowen Zhang, Xujin Wu, Hongbo Qiao, Xincheng Zhao and Hongqiang Feng
Plants 2024, 13(23), 3300; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233300 - 25 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1308
Abstract
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (FAW), is an invasive and destructive polyphagous pest that poses a significant threat to global agricultural production. The FAW mainly damages maize, with a particular preference for V3–V5 (third to fifth leaf collar) plant stages in [...] Read more.
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (FAW), is an invasive and destructive polyphagous pest that poses a significant threat to global agricultural production. The FAW mainly damages maize, with a particular preference for V3–V5 (third to fifth leaf collar) plant stages in northern China. How the FAW moth precisely locates maize plants in the V3–V5 stage at night remains unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate the visual and olfactory cues used by the FAW to identify its host plant, maize, in order to select attractants with better trapping efficacy. Hyperspectral analysis of maize plants at different growth stages using the ASD Fieldspec 4 spectrometer was performed using mimics (moths or maize leaves sealed with transparent plastic sheets) and black cloth-covered plants for single visual and single olfactory attraction experiments. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze volatiles emitted from V3–V5 stage maize leaves. Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) were screened using electroantennography (EAG) and Y-tube. Attractor efficacy was validated using mimics + VOCs. Results showed very little variance in the spectral reflectance curve of the maize at different growth stages. Fifteen VOCs were identified in the V3–V5 stage leaves of three different maize varieties, of which cis-3-hexenyl acetate and myrcene were found in relatively high concentrations in these maize varieties. The frequency of visits attracted by single visual stimuli was significantly lower than that attracted by single olfactory or olfactory + visual cues. The attractiveness of foliar cis-3-hexenyl acetate increased as its concentration decreased. The combination of mimics + cis-3-hexenyl acetate (1 ng/μL) increased host detection efficiency and stimulated mating behavior. These results indicate that the nocturnal insect FAW primarily uses olfactory cues for host identification, with visual cues serving as a complementary modality. The synergistic effect of olfactory and visual cues increases the efficiency of host recognition. We found that cis-3-hexenol acetate at a concentration from maize leaves is a reliable olfactory signal for the FAW. When using host plant VOCs as attractants to control adult FAWs, the role of visual cues must be considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Ecology of Plant and Insect Pests)
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