Defensive Function of Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatile Emissions in Nature

• DOI: 10.1126/science.291.5511.2141
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T05:47:44Z
• Authors: André Kessler; Ian T. Baldwin
• Keywords: Green leaf volatiles

Herbivore attack is known to increase the emission of volatiles, which attract predators herbivore-damaged plants in laboratory and agricultural systems. We quantified volatile emissions from Nicotiana attenuata growing natural populations during by three species leaf-feeding herbivores mimicked release five commonly emitted volatiles individually. Three compounds ( cis-3 -hexen-1-ol, linalool, cis -α-bergamotene) increased egg predation rates a generalist predator; linalool complete blend decreased lepidopteran oviposition rates. As consequence, plant could reduce number more than 90% releasing volatiles. These results confirm that indirect defenses can operate nature.