Abstract
Plants can be attacked by a wide variety of herbivores. Thus, developing protective mechanisms for resistance against these agents is an advantage for survival and reproduction. Over the course of evolution, many resistance mechanisms against herbivory have been developed by the plants. Induced direct and indirect resistance mechanisms can manifest in plants after herbivore attack. The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is not a pest of maize crops (Zea mays), despite being reported infesting plants that may have resistances against this herbivore. We tested the hypothesis that maize plants would be able to induce direct resistance against T. urticae after, evaluating the effect of T. urticae infestation in maize plants on the development and reproduction of conspecifics. We tested induced direct resistance performing infestation and measuring biological parameters upon a second infestation. Maize plants, 40 days after sowing, were divided into two groups: 30 not infested by T. urticae (clean plants clean) and, 30 infested by the spider mite. Infestation of maize plants by T. urticae reduced the conspecific female adult survival. However, no change in the survival of immature or reproduction was observed. These results suggest the induction of induced direct resistances in maize by T. urticae. This is first report of direct resistance induction in Z. mays by the two-spotted spider mite T. urticae.
Highlights
A wide diversity of herbivore species infests plants
The induced direct resistance against herbivores, for example, affects the production of secondary metabolites, substances involved in plant resistance mechanisms (Karban and Baldwin, 1997)
We evaluated the effect of pre‐infestation of maize plants by T. urticae on development and reproduction of conspecifics upon reinfestation
Summary
A wide diversity of herbivore species infests plants. over evolutionary time plants have developed constitutive and induced responses against these enemies 13/17 13 and abundance of crystals, thorns, trichomes and fibers in the lea (Becerra, 1994) The chemical responses, such as toxic metabolites and/or repellents act, for example, minimizing damage by reducing the palatability of the plants or by toxic effects in the herbivores (Arimura et al, 2005). The induced direct resistance against herbivores, for example, affects the production of secondary metabolites, substances involved in plant resistance mechanisms (Karban and Baldwin, 1997). Previous studies have reported direct resistance induction by Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in plants, resulting in reduced performance of these organisms in previously infested plants (Karban and Carey, 1984; Kant et al, 2004). We evaluated the effect of pre‐infestation of maize plants by T. urticae on development and reproduction of conspecifics upon reinfestation
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