Microbial symbionts of a root-feeding herbivore modulate herbivore-induced plant defenses

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

9:45 AM – 10:05 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 202

Presenting Author(s)

AH

Anjel Helms

Assistant professor
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

Co-Author(s)

John M. Grunseich

Graduate Student
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
EM

Emma Manuel

Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
MK

Mike Kolomiets

Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Edward L. Vargo

Professor and Endowed Chair in Urban & Structural Entomology
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
PE

Pierre-André Eyer

Post Doc.
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

Plants use a wide variety of strategies to defend themselves against herbivores, and herbivores have evolved various counter strategies to help them overcome plant defenses. Many of the herbivore defense suppression mechanisms identified to date involve manipulation of plant defense signaling. Previous research has identified effector molecules, plant signaling molecules, and even microbial symbionts in herbivore oral secretions that limit plants’ abilities to recognize their attackers and mount appropriate defense responses. We recently discovered that striped cucumber beetle larvae (Acalymma vitattum) suppress indirect defenses in cucumber roots. The goal of this study was to determine the role of cucumber beetle microbial symbionts in facilitating suppression of root defenses.