Neem Chemicals Disturb the Behavioral Response of Liriomyza Huidobrensis to Conspecific-Induced Potato Volatiles (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Plants respond to insect attack by releasing complex blends of phytogenic volatile organic compounds. The function(s) of plant volatiles has been diversely demonstrated by different workers. Insect infestation induces plants to release volatile chemicals that serve as important foraging cues for parasitoids and predators, thereby augmenting the plants' defense [1-3]. This has been substantiated in a number of cases, for instance, egg deposition induced elm leaves to emit volatiles that attracted specialized egg parasitoids [4], while lima bean leaves infested with the spider mite Tetranychus urticae released feeding-induced volatiles that attracted the predatory insects Scolothrips takahasii [5] and Oligota kashmirika benefica [6]. Crucifer plants infested with Pieris rapae released larger amounts of methyl salicylate and nitriles, and this was correlated with increased attraction of females of the parasitoid wasp, Cotesia rubecula, to infested plants [7]. Such herbivore-induced volatiles (HIVs) can also be exploited by heterospecific beetles [8] as well as by neighboring plants [9]. For example, uninfested lima bean plants exposed to volatiles from lima bean plants infested by T. urticae were more attractive to the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis than were uninfested, unexposed plants [10]. Green June beetles feeding on ripe peach attracted conspecifics to plants suitable for feeding and/or larval development [11].