Insect-plant interactions: host selection, herbivory, and plant resistance – an introduction

Authors: Follett, Peter

Submitted to: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2017
Publication Date: 2/5/2017
Citation: Follett, P.A. 2017. Insect-plant interactions: host selection, herbivory, and plant resistance – an introduction. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. doi:10.1111/eea.12524.

Interpretive Summary: In nature, wild plants have evolved resistance to most potential insect attackers. Domesticated crops are also inherently resistant to most insects although we are sensitive to any insect damage that reduces yield, quality and profits to the farmer: certain insects can indeed devastate their crop host leaving nothing to harvest. The ancestors of modern-day crop plants co-evolved with insects and through natural selection accumulated many physical and chemical traits that formed a core defense against attackers. Plant domestication and breeding involving selection for improved yield and quality has generally made crops more susceptible to pest damage. The 11 papers in this issue explore various aspects of plant insect interactions and current methods and technology for improving crop resistance.

Technical Abstract: In nature, most plants are fed upon by insects. Some herbivorous insects are very particular in their choice of food plants, whereas others are more generalist feeders. Plants are not passive bystanders, they have evolved resistance to most potential insect attackers. The world is mostly green. Domesticated crops are also inherently resistant to most insects (Painter, 1951), although we are sensitive to any insect damage that reduces yield, quality and profits to the farmer, and certain insects can indeed devastate their crop host leaving nothing to harvest. The ancestors of modern-day crop plants coevolved with insects and through natural selection accumulated many physical and chemical traits that formed a core defense against attackers (Pedigo, 1999). Plant domestication and breeding involving selection for improved yield and quality has generally made crops more susceptible to pest damage (Chen et al., 2015). The 11 papers in this issue explore various aspects of plant insect interactions and current methods and technology for improving crop resistance, reflecting the current state of the art.