Like most phytophagous insect pests, wireworms are suspected to use plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to locate appropriate host plants. Preliminary field observations at our study site showed strong differences in the infestation level of four varieties of maize by wireworms. We raised and tested the hypothesis that these maize varieties have differential susceptibility/attraction to wireworms because they emit different VOCs from their roots. We collected, separated, identified and quantified VOCs from the roots of two maize varieties having experienced contrasted levels of wireworm infestation in the field. We showed that the less susceptible variety released a more diverse blend of VOCs, including large amounts of hexanal, heptanal and 2,3-octenanedione. The higher diversity and concentration of VOCs could play a role on the pest repulsion, explaining the difference in susceptibility of variety with respect to the other one. Laboratory dual-choice bioassays showed that wireworms were strongly attracted to COV released by maize roots. However, when wireworms were offered both maize varieties, no preference was detected, contrasting with the field results. Therefore, VOCs may not be the only cues influencing host selection by wireworms.

中文翻译：

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用线虫将玉米中依赖于品种的根系挥发性有机化合物与不同程度的侵染联系起来

像大多数植物性食虫害虫一样，怀疑线虫使用植物挥发性有机化合物（VOC）定位合适的寄主植物。在我们研究现场的初步实地观察表明，四种金属丝虫对玉米的侵染水平存在很大差异。我们提出并检验了以下假设：这些玉米品种对线虫的敏感性/吸引力不同，因为它们从根部释放出不同的VOC。我们从在田间经历了相对水平的线虫侵害的两个玉米品种的根中收集，分离，鉴定和定量了挥发性有机化合物。我们表明，不那么易感的品种释放出更多的挥发性有机化合物混合物，包括大量的己醛，庚醛和2,3-辛烯二酮。VOC的较高多样性和浓度可能对害虫的排斥起作用，这解释了品种对另一种的敏感性不同。实验室双重选择生物测定法显示，线虫被玉米根释放的COV强烈吸引。但是，当同时向两个玉米品种提供线虫时，与田间结果相反，没有发现偏爱。因此，VOC可能不是影响蠕虫选择宿主的唯一线索。