Effect of microplastics and watering regimes on a plant-soil system: Data on behavioural responses of an insect herbivore
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Detached Leaf Assays to Simplify Gene Expression Studies in Potato During Infestation by Chewing Insect Manduca sexta
Published on: May 15, 2019
Gabriele Rondoni1, Elena Chierici1, Alberto Agnelli1,2
1Department of Agricultural Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX giugno, 74, Perugia 06121, Italy.
Abstract:
The data presented here are related to the article titled "Microplastics alter behavioural responses of an insect herbivore to a plant-soil system" by Rondoni, G., Chierici, E., Agnelli, A., Conti, E. (2021). The data describe the changes in the attractiveness of a plant-soil system towards females of a herbivorous fungus gnat (Diptera: Sciaridae) when exposed to different combinations of the following treatments: (1) low or high plant (lentil)-soil watering regime; (2) absence (0%) or presence (5%) of HDPE microplastics in soil; (3) 1-day or 7-day duration of HDPE presence; (4) addition of fungus mycelium to the plant-soil system. We report data of female behaviour, i.e. the residence time in choice vs. no-choice sector of one-way olfactometers using a multiple olfactometer device.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

