Figure 1
From: Multitrophic Effects of Belowground Parasitoid Learning
Belowground Multitrophic Interactions. (a) In the field, citrus roots are fed upon by larvae of the weevil D. abbreviatus. Entomopathogenic nematodes, parasitoids of insect larvae, respond to volatile terpene compounds released by roots following stimulation of plant defenses. Nematophagous fungi capture and consume entomopathogenic nematodes. (b) To determine the multitrophic effects of belowground parasitoid learning, entomopathogenic nematodes were exposed to volatiles they encounter in a belowground environment. These exposed, ‘educated’, entomopathogenic nematodes were then assayed to determine effects on other entomopathogenic nematodes, host insects, and nematophagous fungi. Citrus tree ©Can Stock Photo Inc. Insect larva courtesy BugBoy 52.40. Fungal hyphae courtesy Bob Blaylock.
