Identifying plant-produced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that influence insect behaviour could lead to eco-friendly pesticides.

Marco D'Alessandro and Ted Turlings at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, have examined the methods available for collecting and identifying herbivore-induced plant volatiles. These compounds have key roles in the interactions between herbivores and their natural enemies such as caterpillars. 

For example, a plant species may produce VOCs in response to being eaten by a caterpillar. Parasitic wasps are attracted to the VOC and lay their eggs inside the caterpillar. VOCs also strongly influence interactions between plants and herbivores, plants and micro-organisms, and between plants themselves.

D'Alessandro and Turlings urged chemists and biologists to collaborate in order to use these ecological interactions to protect crops and the environment.

Christopher P Ingle