Chemotaxis of Tuta absoluta to tomato plants exposed to methyl jasmonate and conspecific injuries

• DOI: 10.1111/jen.13248
• Publication Date: 2024-02-29T15:29:11Z
• Authors: Nelson Cristiano ...; Josué Sant'Ana; Luiza Rodrigues R...; Larissa Souza de ...
• Keywords: Tuta absoluta; Methyl jasmonate; Jasmonate

Abstract Plants have developed chemical defence strategies which can either be triggered in response to herbivory or by the exogenous application of phytohormones, such as methyl jasmonate (MeJa). Tuta absoluta is main pest associated with tomatoes worldwide. However, studies on impact plant hormones this system are still scarce. This study aimed evaluate chemotactic responses and oviposition T. towards tomato plants induced MeJa injuries. We conducted dual‐choice olfactometry bioassays evaluating virgin males females exposed conspecifics (eggs caterpillars) sprayed (0.5 mM) at 24, 48, 72 96 h after treatments. also evaluated preference mated chance choosing water, three phytohormone concentrations (0.1, 0.5 2.5 mM). The were mostly responsive conspecifics, while preferred intact over those presence eggs. Furthermore, injured had less . results show that spraying a potential tool for managing controlling moth.