Metabolomics reveals altered biochemical phenotype of an invasive plant with potential to impair its biocontrol agent's establishment and effectiveness.

ABSTRACT: A plausible, but largely unexplored reason for many weed biocontrol agents failing to establish or being ineffective, could involve abiotically induced changes to an invasive plants' biochemical phenotype and consequent enhanced herbivore resistance. Considerable literature demonstrates that chemically altered plant phenotypes can impair insect life history performance. Heather beetle, (Lochmaea suturalis), introduced to control invasive heather (Calluna vulgaris) in New Zealand (NZ) was difficult to establish and displays variable effectiveness. Using UHPLC-MS non-targeted metabolomics, we analysed primary and secondary metabolites of C. vulgaris from its native range (Scotland) and it's introduced range (NZ), between which, differences in soil nutrients and ultraviolet light exist. We al

SUBMITTER: Barrett DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11543852 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature