Can plant-natural enemy communication withstand disruption by biotic and abiotic factors?

Andrea Clavijo Mccormick

doi:10.1002/ece3.2567

Abstract

The attraction of natural enemies towards herbivore‐induced plant volatiles is a well‐documented phenomenon. However, the majority of published studies are carried under optimal water and nutrient regimes and with just one herbivore. But what happens when additional levels of ecological complexity are added? Does the presence of a second herbivore, microorganisms, and abiotic stress interfere with plant–natural enemy communication? or is communication stable enough to withstand disruption by additional biotic and abiotic factors?Investigating the effects of these additional levels of ecological complexity is key to understanding the stability of tritrophic interactions in natural ecosystems and may aid to forecast the impact of environmental disturbances on these, especially in climate change scenarios, which are often associated with modifications in plant and arthropod species distribution and increased levels of abiotic stress.This review explores the literature on natural enemy attraction to herbivore‐induced volatiles when, besides herbivory, plants are challenged by additional biotic and abiotic factors.The aim of this review was to establish the impact of different biotic and abiotic factors on plant–natural enemy communication and to highlight critical aspects to guide future research efforts.

Highlights

Volatile compounds serve multiple protective functions for the plants emitting them and are one of the principal currencies mediating plant communication with conspecifics and other trophic levels (Holopainen, 2004)
This review explores the literature on natural enemy attraction to herbivore-induced volatiles when, besides herbivory, plants are challenged by additional biotic and abiotic factors
This review explores the available literature on natural enemy attraction to HIPVs in scenarios of multiple herbivores attacking, herbivory in the presence of microorganisms, and herbivory under abiotic stress factors

Summary

Introduction

Volatile compounds serve multiple protective functions for the plants emitting them and are one of the principal currencies mediating plant communication with conspecifics and other trophic levels (Holopainen, 2004). Considerable progress has been made in elucidating the biosynthetic routes, leading to the formation of volatile compounds and the molecular mechanisms underlying this process, for example, signaling transduction pathways and transcriptome changes in response to herbivory (Arimura, Matsui, & Takabayashi, 2009; Dudareva, Picherski, & Gershenzon, 2004; Stam et al, 2014). We have advanced in understanding how natural enemies make use of these volatile cues, and the role of learning in their responses to plant volatiles (Allison & Hare, 2009; de Boer & Dicke, 2006; Dicke, 1999; Hoedjes et al, 2011; Clavijo McCormick et al, 2012; Takabayashi, Sabelis, Janssen, Shiojiri, & van Wijk, 2006)

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