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PubMed2005

Ultraweak photon emission from herbivory-injured maize plants.

Following perception of herbivory or infection, plants exhibit a wide range of inducible responses. In this study, we found ultraweak photon emissions from maize leaves damaged by Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae). Interestingly, mechanically damaged maize leaves treated with caterpillar regurgitants emitted the same intensity and pattern of photon emissions as those from maize leaves damaged by caterpillars. Furthermore, two-dimensional imaging of the leaf section treated with the oral secretions clearly shows that photon emissions were observed specifically at the lip of the wound exposed to the secretions. These results suggest that the direct interaction between maize leaf cells and chemicals contained in caterpillar regurgitants triggers these photon emissions.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2002

Improvement of hybrid yield by advanced backcross QTL analysis in elite maize.

We applied an advanced backcross breeding strategy to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of agronomic importance in a cross between two elite inbreds of maize, RD6502 (Mo17-type recurrent parent) and RD3013 (Iodent donor parent). Two hundred and four BC(2) families were scored at 106 SSR, 15 AFLP, and 38 Heartbreaker (MITE) loci. BC(2) testcrosses (TC) with B73 were phenotyped at six locations in the Midwest and N.Y. We detected four grain yield, six grain moisture, and three plant height QTLs at which the RD3013 allele had a favorable effect ( p < 0.05). All four yield QTLs were selected as target introgressions in the development of BC(3)TC families. As predicted by BC(2)TC analysis, BC(3)TC entries containing introgressions at yld3.1 and yld10.1 significantly outperformed non-carrier entries by 11.1% (15.6 bu/A at one location) and 6.7% (7.1 bu/A averaged across two locations), respectively, in replicated Midwestern trials ( p < 0.05). Detection of yld10.1 effects in the BC(2)TC by spatial analysis (i.e., incomplete block, response surface, autoregressive, moving average or autoregressive moving average), but not by conventional single point analysis or interval mapping, indicated the utility of local environmental control for QTL mapping in unreplicated maize progeny. This work demonstrated that the advanced backcross QTL method can be applied to identify and manipulate useful QTLs in heterotic inbreds of elite maize. Genetic gains by this approach can be coupled with the maintenance and selection of favorable epistatic gene complexes by traditional hybrid breeding for maize improvement.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Inheritance of plant regeneration from maize (Zea mays L.) shoot meristem cultures derived from germinated seeds and the identification of associated RAPD and SSR markers.

The inheritance of shoot regeneration through shoot-tip meristem culture derived from maize seedling was evaluated, and the markers (RAPD and SSR) associated with this regeneration character were identified both in a group of North American maize inbreds and a crossing population. A discrete distribution of percent regeneration and no. of shoots per explant was observed in the inbred group and the F(2) population. The results suggested that this regenerable trait was controlled by several major genes. Five RAPD markers were identified to be relevant to percent regeneration in maize shoot-tip culture system. One RAPD marker and three SSR markers were associated with no. of shoot per explant and its relevant traits. Of them marker BC603-1600 explained 18% of the variation for no. of shoot per explant and 16% of the variation for callus size. The BC603-1600 was sequenced and assigned in linkage group 7 based on a NCBI blast search. The information provided here should benefit to determine the genetic mechanisms involved in the maize regeneration response related to shoot meristem culture pathway and benefit to select high regenerable germplasm by using marker assisted selection.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

Grouping of tropical mid-altitude maize inbred lines on the basis of yield data and molecular markers.

The classification of maize inbred lines into heterotic groups is an important undertaking in hybrid breeding. The objectives of our research were to: (1) separate selected tropical mid-altitude maize inbred lines into heterotic groups based on grain yield data; (2) assess the genetic relationships among these inbred lines using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers; (3) examine the consistency between yield-based and marker-based groupings of the inbred lines. Thirty-eight tropical mid-altitude maize inbred lines were crossed to two inbred line testers representing the flint and dent heterotic pattern, respectively. The resulting testcrosses were evaluated in a trial at three locations for 2 years. Significant general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects for grain yield were detected among the inbred lines. The tester inbred lines classified 23 of the 38 tested inbred lines into two heterotic groups based on SCA effects and testcross mean grain yields. This grouping was not related to endosperm type of the inbred lines. The outstanding performance of testcrosses of the remaining 15 inbred lines indicates the presence of significant genetic diversity that may allow the assignment of the lines into more than two heterotic groups. Diversity analysis of the 40 maize inbred lines using AFLP and SSR markers found high levels of genetic diversity among these lines and subdivided them into two main groups with subdivision into sub-groups consistent with breeding history, origin and parentage of the lines. However, heterotic groups formed using yield-based combining ability were different from the groups established on the basis of molecular markers. Considering the diversity of the genetic backgrounds of the mid-altitude inbred lines, the marker-based grouping may serve as the basis to design and carry out combining ability studies in the field to establish clearly defined heterotic groups with a greater genetic similarity within groups.

Altitude↗

PubMed2004

Assessing temporal changes in genetic diversity of maize varieties using microsatellite markers.

To quantify genetic diversity among modern and earlier maize cultivars, 133 varieties, representative of the maize grown in France during the last five decades, were fingerprinted using 51 SSR. The varieties were grouped into four periods. For each period, allelic richness, genetic diversity and genetic differentiation among periods were computed. A total of 239 alleles were generated. Allelic richness, in terms of number of alleles per locus, for each period was 4.5, 3.6, 3.9 and 3.6 respectively. Genetic diversity corresponding to Nei's unbiased heterozygosity was calculated, based on allelic frequencies. Values ranged from 0.56 to 0.61. Period I presented the highest genetic diversity, whereas the three other periods all presented a similar value. A great proportion of the total genetic diversity (H(T)=0.59) was conserved within all periods (H(S)=0.57), rather than among periods (G(ST)=0.04). The analysis of molecular variance showed that the variation among periods represented only 10% of the total molecular variation. However, the differentiation among periods, although low, was significant, except for the last two periods. Our results showed that the genetic diversity has been reduced by about 10% in the maize cultivars bred before 1976 compared to those bred after 1985. The very low differentiation (G(ST)=0.21%) observed among cultivars of the last two decades should alert French maize breeders to enlarge genetic basis in their variety breeding programmes.

Breeding↗

PubMed2005

Quantitative trait loci for cell-wall components in recombinant inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) I: stalk tissue.

Maize silage is a significant energy source for animal production operations, and the efficiency of the conversion of forage into animal mass is an important consideration when selecting cultivars for use as feed. Fiber and lignin are negatively correlated with digestibility of feed, so the development of forage with reduced levels of these cell-wall components (CWCs) is desirable. While variability for fiber and lignin is present in maize germplasm, traditional selection has focused on the yield of the ear rather than the forage quality of the whole plant, and little information is available concerning the genetics of fiber and lignin. The objectives of this study were to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fiber and lignin in the maize stalk and compare them with QTLs from other populations. Stalk samples were harvested from 191 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of B73 (an inbred line with low-to-intermediate levels of CWCs) x De811 (an inbred line with high levels of CWCs) at two locations in 1998 and one in 1999 and assayed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). The QTLs were detected on nine chromosomes, mostly clustered in concordance with the high genetic correlations between NDF and ADF. Adjustment of NDF for ADF and ADF for ADL revealed that most of the variability for CWCs in this population is in ADF. Many of the QTLs detected in this study have also been detected in other populations, and several are linked to candidate genes for cellulose or starch biosynthesis. The genetic information obtained in this study should be useful to breeding efforts aimed at improving the quality of maize silage.

Breeding↗

PubMed2006

Grouping of accessions of Mexican races of maize revisited with SSR markers.

Mexican races of maize (Zea mays L.) represent a valuable genetic resource for breeding and genetic surveys. We applied simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to characterize 25 accessions of races of maize from Mexico. Our objectives were to (1) study the molecular genetic diversity within and among these accessions and (2) examine their relationships as assumed previously on the basis of morphological data. A total of 497 individuals were fingerprinted with 25 SSR markers. We observed a high total number of alleles (7.84 alleles per locus) and total gene diversity (0.61), confirming the broad genetic base of the maize races from Mexico. In addition, the accessions were grouped into distinct racial complexes on the basis of a model-based clustering approach. The principal coordinate analyses of the four Modern Incipient hybrids corroborated the proposed parental races of Chalqueño, Cónico Norteño, Celaya, and Bolita on the basis of the morphological data. Consequently, for some of the accessions, hybridizations provide a clue that can further be used to explain the associations among the Mexican races of maize.

Alleles↗

PubMed2002

Evaluation of Hbr (MITE) markers for assessment of genetic relationships among maize ( Zea mays L.) inbred lines.

Recently, a new type of molecular marker has been developed that is based on the presence or absence of the miniature inverted repeat transposable element (MITE) family Heartbreaker ( Hbr) in the maize genome. These so-called Hbr markers have been shown to be stable, highly polymorphic, easily mapped, and evenly distributed throughout the maize genome. In this work, we used Hbr-derived markers for genetic characterization of a set of maize inbred lines belonging to Stiff Stalk (SS) and Non-Stiff Stalk (NSS) heterotic groups. In total, 111 markers were evaluated across 62 SS and NSS lines. Seventy six markers (68%) were shared between the two groups, and 25 of the common markers occurred at fairly low frequency (</=0.20). Only two markers (3%) were monomorphic in all samples. Although DNA sequencing indicated that 5.5% of same-sized DNA fragments were non-homologous, this result did not affect the cluster analyses (i.e., relationships obtained from the Hbr data were congruent with those derived from pedigree information). Distance matrices generated from Hbr markers were significantly correlated ( p<0.001) with those obtained from pedigree ( r=0.782), RFLPs ( r=0.747), and SSRs ( r=0.719). Overall, these results indicated that Hbr markers could be used in conjunction with other molecular markers for genotyping and relationship studies of related maize inbred lines.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Allozyme polymorphisms of maize populations from southwestern China.

Maize ( Zea mays L.) is one of the most-important food crops in southwestern China. The diversity of maize populations from southwestern China has been evaluated on the basis of agronomic and morphological data, but not on marker data. Our objectives were to evaluate the allozyme polymorphism of these populations, and group the populations on the basis of allozyme data. We analyzed 27 maize populations from southwestern China and two populations [BS13(S)C2 and Lancaster] from the USA for genetic variation at 18 allozyme loci. We found a total of 69 alleles at 18 allozyme loci with an average of 3.8 alleles per locus. Compared with inbreds, hybrids, and populations from the U.S. Corn Belt, the 27 Chinese populations had a significantly higher ( p<0.01) number of allozyme alleles per locus. Maize populations from southwestern China have accumulated abundant genetic diversity, and might be valuable germplasm for broadening the genetic base of U.S. Corn Belt breeding germplasm. The analyses of allele-frequency distributions and the expected heterozygosity also reflected the differences between the Chinese and the U.S. germplasm. The Chinese populations might be valuable germplasm for complementing U.S. Corn Belt breeding germplasm. The analysis of gene diversity showed that 77% of the allozyme variation resided within populations and 23% between populations. This result suggested that breeders should identify one or a few Chinese populations with the best agronomic performance, and exploit the genetic variation within these selected populations. Cluster analysis classified the 29 populations into four main groups. Groupings based on allozyme data could be useful for classifying the populations into different heterotic groups and, consequently, exploiting them in hybrid breeding.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Effect of zearalenone treatment on the production of wheat haploids via the maize pollination system.

The ability of zearalenone (ZEN) to stimulate the growth of haploid wheat embryos formed following the pollination of wheat spikes with maize pollen was tested. The maize pollination system was used as a model to compare the activity of ZEN with that of auxin analogues. Three solutions, each with a different concentration of ZEN (6.0, 3.0 or 1.5 microM), and a solution of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (control) were tested for their effect on ovary swelling, frequency of embryo formation and the ability to regenerate plants. In total, 3,105 florets of 282 spikes from five different cultivars of hexaploid winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) were pollinated with maize ( Zea mays L. cv. Gama) pollen and treated with the ZEN solutions. The highest concentration of ZEN (6.0 microM) was the most effective in inducing ovary swelling (84 swollen ovaries/100 pollinated florets) and increasing the frequency of embryo induction (18.9 embryos/100 pollinated florets), but these embryos were severely deformed. They had low capability to germinate in vitro, while callus was easily formed and indirect regeneration of plants was possible. The lowest ZEN concentration (1.5 micrroM) induced ovary swelling in 42.8/100 pollinated florets and embryo growth in 3.3 out of 100 pollinated florets. The embryos were regular in shape, and almost half of them germinated in vitro while callus induction from them failed. The concentration of 3 microM ZEN had an intermediate effect. The type of response of the various wheat genotypes was similar, while frequencies were different, with cv. Izolda being the most responsive. The results show that ZEN has some of the properties of an auxin analogue, while other effects of its action are unique. It can be used in the maize pollination system of doubled haploid production to replace auxin analogues when indirect regeneration of plants via callus tissue is planned.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

PubMed2000

Accumulation of a maize proteinase inhibitor in response to wounding and insect feeding, and characterization of its activity toward digestive proteinases of Spodoptera littoralis larvae.

The mpi gene encodes a maize proteinase inhibitor (MPI) protein whose mRNA accumulates in response to mechanical wounding. In this study, mpi gene expression in response to different types of damage was investigated. In mechanically damaged leaves of maize (Zea mays L.), mpi mRNA accumulation was affected by the degree of damage inflicted on the leaf. Consecutive wounds resulted in higher levels of mpi transcripts. The MPI protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Polyclonal antibodies were then produced and used to study MPI accumulation in insect-wounded and mechanically wounded maize leaves. When larvae of the lepidopteran insect Spodoptera littoralis were fed on maize leaves, MPI accumulated in tissues adjacent to the wound site. The level of inhibitor accumulation was higher in leaves chewed by larvae than in leaves that had been damaged mechanically. Longer feeding periods also resulted in higher levels of MPI accumulation. Additionally, the inhibitory properties of MPI toward mammalian and insect digestive serine proteinases were determined. Contrary to the majority of the plant proteinase inhibitors described, MPI is an inhibitor of mammalian elastase that only weakly inhibits mammalian chymotrypsin. However, both elastase and chymotrypsin-like activities from the larval midgut of S. littoralis were effectively inhibited by MPI. We discuss these results with regard to the function and evolution of plant proteinase inhibitors. The availability of a plant proteinase inhibitor which is able to inhibit the two types of insect digestive proteinase, elastase and chymotrypsin, might be useful for engineering protection against lepidopteran insect pests in transgenic plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Retention of maize auxin-binding protein in the endoplasmic reticulum: quantifying escape and the role of auxin.

The localisation of maize (Zea mays L.) auxin-binding protein (ABP1) has been studied using a variety of techniques. At the whole-tissue level, tissue printing indicated that ABP1 is expressed to similar levels in all cells of the maize coleoptile and in the enclosed leaf roll. Within cells, the signals from immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling of ultrathin sections both indicated that ABP1 is confined to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), none being detected in either Golgi apparatus or cell wall. This distribution is consistent with targeting motifs in its sequence. These observations are discussed with reference to the various reports which place a population of ABP1 on the outer face of the plasma membrane, including those suggesting that it is necessary on the cell surface for rapid, auxin-mediated protoplast hyperpolarisation. We have tested the ER, namely that auxin binding induces a conformational change in ABP1 leading to concealment of the KDEL retention motif. Using double-label immunofluorescence the characteristic auxin-induced rise in Golgi-apparatus signal was found, yet no change in the distribution of the ABP1 signal was detected. Maize suspension cultures were used to assay for auxin-promoted secretions of ABP1 into the medium, but secretion was below the limit of detection. This can be ascribed at least partly to the very active acidification of the medium by these cells and the instability of ABP 1 in solution below pH 5.0. In the insect-baculovirus expression system, in which cell cultures maintain pH 6.2, a small amount of ABP1 secretion, less than 1% of the total, was detected under all conditions, Insect cells were shown to take up auxin and no inactivation of added auxin was detected, but auxin did not affect the level of ABP1 in the medium. Consequently, no evidence was found to support the model for auxin promotion of ABP1 secretion. Finally, quantitative glycan analysis was used to determine what proportion of ABP1 might reach the plasma membrane in maize coleoptile tissue. The results suggest that less than 15% of ABP1 ever escapes from the ER as far as the cis-Golgi and less than 2% passes further through the secretory pathway. Such leakage rates probably do not require a specialised mechanism allowing ABP1 past the KDEL retrieval pathway, but we are not able to rule out the possibility that some ABP1 is carried through associated with other proteins. The data are consistent with the presence of ABP1 both on the plasma membrane and in the ER. The relative sizes of the two pools explain the results obtained with immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling and illustrate the high efficiency of ER retention in plants.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Characterization of a MYBR2R3 gene from black spruce (Picea mariana) that shares functional conservation with maize C1.

PCR amplification with degenerate primers targeted to highly conserved amino acid motifs within the MYB domain was used to demonstrate that black spruce (Picea mariana) possesses a diverse MYB gene family. Amino acid sequence comparisons revealed three broad MYB subfamilies, one of which shares extensive similarity with maize C1, a central regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis. A cDNA clone encoding a MYBR2R3 protein from P. mariana with high levels of sequence homology to maize C1 was shown to transactivate the Bz2 promoter in combination with maize R in embryonal tissues of both black spruce and larch. Functional dependence on the maize R protein, and the presence of a conserved C-terminal GIDPxTH motif, support the conservation of MYBR2R3 function in conifers, and demonstrate that the basic components of MYBR2R3-dependent transcriptional regulation have been conserved between angiosperms and gymnosperms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

The ethylene biosynthetic and perception machinery is differentially expressed during endosperm and embryo development in maize.

The maize endosperm undergoes programmed cell death late in its development so that, with the exception of the aleurone layer, the tissue is dead by the time the kernel matures. Although ethylene is known to regulate the onset of endosperm cell death, the temporal and spatial control of the ethylene biosynthetic and perception machinery during maize endosperm development has not been examined. In this study, we report the isolation of the maize gene families for ACC synthase, ACC oxidase, the ethylene receptor, and EIN2 and EIL, which act downstream of the receptor. We show that ACC oxidase is expressed primarily in the endosperm, and only at low levels in the developing embryo late in its development. ACC synthase is expressed throughout endosperm development but, in contrast to ACC oxidase, it is transiently expressed to a significantly higher level in the developing embryo at a time that corresponds with the onset of endosperm cell death. Only two ethylene receptor gene families were identified in maize, in contrast to the five types previously identified in Arabidopsis. Members of both ethylene receptor families were expressed to substantially higher levels in the developing embryo than in the endosperm, as were members of the EIN2 and EIL gene families. These results suggest that the endosperm and embryo both contribute to the synthesis of ethylene, and they provide a basis for understanding why the developing endosperm is especially sensitive to ethylene-induced cell death while the embryo is protected.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1997

The IBP genes of maize are expressed in non-meristematic, elongating cells of the seedling and in abortive floral organs.

The transcription start site of the maize Shrunken-1 (Sh-1) gene is sufficient for transcriptional initiation in the absence of other promoter elements and is recognized in vitro by the Initiator Binding Protein (IBP). We describe here in situ hybridization experiments performed on various maize tissues to quantify IBP transcription at the cellular level. IBP transcripts are found in the endosperm and in differentiating, enlarging cells of the shoot and the root of the maize seedling. This expression pattern overlaps with that of the Sh-1 gene and is therefore compatible with the hypothesis that the Sh-1 transcription start site is a target for IBP. In the developing spikelets of male and female inflorescences IBP transcript levels are very high in those organs that are later aborted when flowers become unisexual. Overexpression of the maize IBP1 gene product in transgenic tobacco causes a reduction in internodal elongation and effects gibberellin hormonal balance. The cellular expression pattern described here establishes IBP transcripts as an interesting molecular marker for enlarging, and presumably differentiating, cells released from the root or shoot apex.

Cell Division↗

PubMed2002

Maize dwarf mosaic disease in different regions of China is caused by Sugarcane mosaic virus.

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) was detected in all 62 maize samples collected from eight maize-growing provinces in China showing dwarf mosaic symptoms by immunocapture reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), Sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) and Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV), however, were not detected in any of the samples by RT-PCR. Eleven cDNA fragments of approximately 0.8 kilobases covering most of the coat protein (CP) gene of SCMV were sequenced and sequence analysis indicates that these eleven isolates share 98.1 to 100 % identity at the amino acid level. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the CP genes from the eleven Chinese isolates as well as 21 SCMV subgroup virus isolates indicate that the eleven Chinese virus isolates were closely related to SCMV with 97.0 to 98.1 % sequence identity at the amino acid level, while relatively lower sequence identity was found with MDWV, SrMV or JGMV. The results indicate that the Chinese isolates are members of the SCMV species, and thus, SCMV can be considered as the most common and important potyvirus infecting maize in China.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Attraction of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae to volatiles from herbivore-damaged maize seedlings.

Plants respond to insect attack with the induction of volatiles that function as indirect plant defenses through the attraction of natural enemies to the herbivores. Despite the fact that volatiles are induced in response to caterpillar attack, their reciprocal effects on the host location behaviors of the same foraging herbivores are poorly understood. We examined orientation responses of sixth instar fall armyworm [FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith)] to odors from herbivore-damaged and undamaged maize seedlings (Zea mays var. Golden Queen) in y-tube olfactometer bioassays. While both damaged and undamaged maize seedlings were attractive compared with air, sixth instars preferred odors from damaged maize seedlings over odors from undamaged maize seedlings. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of plant volatiles revealed that linalool and 4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene were the major volatiles induced by FAW herbivory 6 hr after initial damage. Given its prominence in induced plants and established attractiveness to adult FAW, linalool was evaluated both as an individual attractant and as a supplemental component of whole plant odors. Volatile linalool was more attractive than air to sixth instar FAW over a broad range of release rates. FAW also responded selectively to different amounts of linalool, preferring the higher amount. The orientation preferences of FAW were readily manipulated through capillary release of linalool into the airstream of whole plant odors. FAW preferred linalool over undamaged plant odors, and linalool-supplemented plant odors over unsupplemented plant odors, indicating that olfactory preferences could be changed by alteration of a single volatile component. These results suggest that although many induced volatiles attract natural enemies of herbivores, these defenses may also inadvertently recruit more larval herbivores to an attacked plant or neighboring conspecifics.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Fungal infection reduces herbivore-induced plant volatiles of maize but does not affect naïve parasitoids.

Plants attacked by insects release volatile compounds that attract the herbivores' natural enemies. This so-called indirect defense is plastic and may be affected by an array of biotic and abiotic factors. We investigated the effect of fungal infection as a biotic stress agent on the emission of herbivore-induced volatiles and the possible consequences for the attraction of two parasitoid species. Maize seedlings that were simultaneously attacked by the fungus Setosphaeria turcica and larvae of Spodoptera littoralis emitted a blend of volatiles that was qualitatively similar to the blend emitted by maize that was damaged by only the herbivore, but there was a clear quantitative difference. When simultaneously challenged by fungus and herbivore, the maize plants emitted in total 47% less of the volatiles. Emissions of green leaf volatiles were unaffected. In a six-arm olfactometer, the parasitoids Cotesia marginiventris and Microplitis rufiventris responded equally well to odors of herbivore-damaged and fungus- and herbivore-damaged maize plants. Healthy and fungus-infected plants were not attractive. An additional experiment showed that the performance of S. littoralis caterpillars was not affected by the presence of the pathogen, nor was there an effect on larvae of M. rufiventris developing inside the caterpillars. Our results confirm previous indications that naïve wasps may respond primarily to the green leaf volatiles.

Animals↗