Effects of phenological stage and temperature on <i>Ligusticum porteri’s</i> volatiles and trophic interactions
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted by plants as signals to other organisms and are interrelated with atmospheric chemistry and climate change. Typically, phenology advances and temperature increases with climate change. How floral volatiles of Ligustigum porteri influences its multitrophic interactions and changes with increased temperature is unknown. We investigated how elevated temperature and phenological stage affects both the volatiles released by host plants and the performance of intraguild Miridae predators and their competitor/prey, aphid Aphis helianthi. Throughout the study we monitored phenological stage and insects present on L. porteri. Open top warming chambers (OTC) increased the temperature surrounding the plants by 0.81°C on average and were removed after 23 days for the advanced phenology treatment group, though no significant phenological advancement occurred (p=0.682). The OTC remained on plants for the advanced phenology plus increased temperature treatment group. Silicon tubing (ST) captured floral volatiles, and was analyzed by thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) to quantify volatiles released. Ten aphids from existing colonies were placed onto test of suitable condition. Miridae abundance was correlated to phenological stage and the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (p=2.782 e-11) and found to drive plant damage (p=0.02716). The ability for aphids to colonize host plants was related to the amount of plant damage. Thus, Miridae populations seem to indirectly negatively impacting aphid performance, even though elevated temperatures typically increase aphid abundance. The volatile profile is expected to correlate with phenological stage, which may explain Miridae abundance patters. Additionally, the defense volatiles may play a role in why aphid ability to colonize host plants. As temperature increases and phenology advances with the changing climate, the biotic interactions associated with phenology may be stronger than direct effects of temperature
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