Trichomes mediate plant-herbivore interactions in two Cucurbitaceae species through pre- and post-ingestive ways.

ABSTRACT: Plant structural defenses such as trichomes exert a significant selection pressure on insect herbivores. However, whether variation in structural defense traits affects common herbivores in related plant species is less understood. Here, we examined the role of trichomes in plant-herbivore interactions in two commonly cultivated members in Cucurbitaceae: bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) and cucumber (Cucumis sativa). In common garden experiments when the two species were grown together, we observed that they differed in their attractiveness to four major herbivore species (Trichoplusia ni, Acalymma vittatum, Diaphania indica, and Anasa tristis) and, consequently, their feeding behavior. We found that L. siceraria consistently harbored less

SUBMITTER: Kaur I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10047472 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature