Prohydrojasmon treatment of lima bean plants reduces the performance of two-spotted spider mites and induces volatiles

Abstract

We investigated the effects of prohydrojasmon (PDJ) [propyl (1RS,2RS)-(3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentyl) acetate] treatment of intact lima bean plants on direct defense against two-spotted spider mites (TSSMs), Tetranychus urticae, and on the production of plant volatiles. Plants were treated with PDJ or water (control) and pieces cut from their leaves were exposed to mated TSSM females. After 3 days, there were no significant differences in TSSM mortality between the treatments, but the females laid significantly fewer eggs on treated disks. Headspace analyses of plants treated with one of three different concentrations of PDJ showed that the treatment induced (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-β-ocimene, (Z)-β-ocimene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, and β-caryophyllene. These compounds were expected to affect the behavioral responses of TSSMs and their natural enemies. © 2012 Taylor & Francis.