Entomopathogenic nematodes increase predation success by inducing cadaver volatiles that attract healthy herbivores.

ABSTRACT: Herbivore natural enemies protect plants by regulating herbivore populations. Whether they can alter the behavior of their prey to increase predation success is unknown. We investigate if and how infection by the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora changes the behavior of healthy larvae of the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera), a major pest of maize. We found that nematode-infected rootworm cadavers are attractive to rootworm larvae, and that this behavior increases nematode reproductive success. Nematode-infected rootworms release distinct volatile bouquets, including the unusual volatile butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). BHT alone attracts rootworms, and increases nematode reproductive success. A screen of different nematode and herbivore specie

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6739876 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature