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Ryalls JMW, Bromfield LM, Bell L, Jasper J, Mullinger NJ, Blande JD, Girling RD. Concurrent anthropogenic air pollutants enhance recruitment of a specialist parasitoid. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221692. [PMID: 36350222 PMCID: PMC9653229 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Air pollutants-such as nitrogen oxides, emitted in diesel exhaust, and ozone (O3)-disrupt interactions between plants, the insect herbivore pests that feed upon them and natural enemies of those herbivores (e.g. parasitoids). Using eight field-based rings that emit regulated quantities of diesel exhaust and O3, we investigated how both pollutants, individually and in combination, altered the attraction and parasitism rate of a specialist parasitoid (Diaeretiella rapae) on aphid-infested and un-infested Brassica napus plants. Individual effects of O3 decreased D. rapae abundance and emergence by 37% and 55%, respectively, compared with ambient (control) conditions. When O3 and diesel exhaust were emitted concomitantly, D. rapae abundance and emergence increased by 79% and 181%, respectively, relative to control conditions. This attraction response occurred regardless of whether plants were infested with aphids and was associated with an increase in the concentration of aliphatic glucosinolates, especially gluconapin (3-butenyl-glucosinolate), within B. napus leaves. Plant defensive responses and their ability to attract natural aphid enemies may be beneficially impacted by pollution exposure. These results demonstrate the importance of incorporating multiple air pollutants when considering the effects of air pollution on plant-insect interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. W. Ryalls
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Earley Gate, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6EU, UK
| | - Lisa M. Bromfield
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Earley Gate, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6EU, UK
| | - Luke Bell
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Earley Gate, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6EU, UK
| | - Jake Jasper
- School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, PO Box 226, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AP, UK
| | - Neil J. Mullinger
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, UK
| | - James D. Blande
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Robbie D. Girling
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Earley Gate, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6EU, UK
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