We investigated whether willow species share similar responses to herbivory in their volatile and non-volatile chemistry

Our recent study shows how six closely related willow species respond to different insect herbivores. We found that both willow species and herbivore identity drives variation in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), non-volatile metabolites (non-VOCs), and salicinoids. Interestingly, herbivore treatment significantly explains the variation in VOCs more than in non-VOCs and salicinoids.

​When examining individual VOCs, we found that some willow species formed pairs that responded similarly to the same herbivores while showing dissimilar responses from their close relatives. This grouping indicates that VOCs play a significant role in chemical niche partitioning among these species. Conversely, non-VOCs and salicinoids showed distinct patterns: they were generally upregulated by the sap-sucking insects across all willow species but showed species-specific responses to chewing herbivores.
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Our findings highlight that VOCs and non-VOCs exhibit different levels of specificity and similarity across plant species, suggesting a complex and flexible system of induced chemical defences. This variation allows plants to share or partition their chemical niches, potentially reducing herbivore pressure among co-occurring species. The high specificity of VOCs to different herbivres in attracting specialist predators or parasitoids could be particularly advantageous, enhancing plant defence against herbivore attacks and contributing to the dynamic interplay of plant defence mechanisms.
 
This is the link to the  Priscila's new paper:  https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1jUI07GqWwZuU