Technical Abstract: More evidence supporting the induction of defenses in belowground plant parts in response to aboveground herbivory and vice versa is being reported. However the genes and signaling molecules mediating such systemic induction are still not clearly established. In this study we performed comparative microarray analysis on maize whorl and root tissues in response to foliar feeding by fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) caterpillars. The results indicated that jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis genes were up-regulated in the whorl, whereas ethylene perception and signaling components were up-regulated in the roots. The transcript levels of many genes encoding proteins involved in direct defenses against herbivores were enhanced both in roots and leaves, but transcriptional factors and genes involved in various biosynthetic pathways were selectively down-regulated in the whorl. The results indicate that foliar herbivory by fall armyworm caterpillars results in changes in root gene expression pathways suggesting profound long distance signaling. Tissue specific induction and suppression of JA and ET signaling pathway genes provide a clue as to the role of JA and ethylene (ET) in mediating the signaling between the two distant tissue types eventually triggering defense responses in the roots in response to foliar herbivory.