Distinct Arabidopsis Responses to Two Generalist Caterpillar Species Differing in Host Breadth

In general, caterpillar herbivores with a narrow host preference (specialists) have evolved mechanisms to circumvent specific plant defenses. contrast, caterpillars broader range (generalists) may manipulate phytohormone pathways common many species attenuate induced Many studies compared responses specialist versus generalist caterpillars. this study evaluates the response of Arabidopsis thaliana two species, cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. Although both are considered generalists, S. exigua has range, whereas T. ni prefers Brassicaceous plants. Our shows that most herbivory, such as jasmonate burst, similar in plants attacked by either insect species; however, we do observe dynamic temporal differences responses. Expression AtZAT10, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid-responsive gene, is only damage. comparison, herbivory activates salicylic acid/NPR1-dependent pathway, observed expression marker gene AtPR1. Even though induce AtPDF1.2 expression, found caterpillar-specific differences: results sustained over time, sharply downregulated at 36 h exigua-attacked damage these AtMYB28 AtMYB34 short- long-chain aliphatic indolic glucosinolates accumulate herbivory. These species-specific, plant-induced likely reflect effectors oral secretions. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This an open access article distributed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .