| Title: | Interplay between insects and plants: dynamic and complex interactions that have coevolved over millions of years but act in milliseconds |
| Address: | "Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, UK tobyjabruce@gmail.com" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1460-2431 (Electronic) 0022-0957 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "In an environment with changing availability and quality of host plants, phytophagous insects are under selection pressure to find quality hosts. They need to maximize their fitness by locating suitable plants and avoiding unsuitable ones. Thus, they have evolved a finely tuned sensory system, for detection of host cues, and a nervous system, capable of integrating inputs from sensory neurons with a high level of spatio-temporal resolution. Insect responses to cues are not fixed but depend on the context in which they are perceived, the physiological state of the insect, and prior learning experiences. However, there are examples of insects making 'mistakes' and being attracted to poor quality hosts. While insects have evolved ways of finding hosts, plants have been under selection pressure to do precisely the opposite and evade detection or defend themselves when attacked. Once on the plant, insect-associated molecules may trigger or suppress defence depending on whether the plant or the insect is ahead in evolutionary terms. Plant volatile emission is influenced by defence responses induced by insect feeding or oviposition which can attract natural enemies but repel herbivores. Conversely, plant reproductive fitness is increased by attraction of pollinators. Interactions can be altered by other organisms associated with the plant such as other insects, plant pathogens, or mycorrhizal fungi. Plant phenotype is plastic and can be changed by epigenetic factors in adaptation to periods of biotic stress. Space and time play crucial roles in influencing the outcome of interactions between insects and plants" |
| Keywords: | Animals *Biological Evolution Host-Parasite Interactions/*physiology Insecta/*physiology Odorants Plants/immunology/*parasitology Time Factors Chemical ecology coevolution herbivores insect-plant interactions pollinators spatio-temporal dynamics.; |
| Notes: | "MedlineBruce, Toby J A eng Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review England 2014/10/02 J Exp Bot. 2015 Feb; 66(2):455-65. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eru391. Epub 2014 Sep 30" |
