Indirect Defense Responses of Arabidopsis Thaliana To Insect Feeding Vibrations Utilizing a Miniature GC-FID

The release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) plays a crucial role in plant-to-plant and plant-to-arthropod communication. Each blend of VOCs released carries a specific meaning for the receiving party and the stimulus that triggers a response. One such stimulus, vibrations from insect feeding, has been shown to elicit chemical defense responses in rosettes of Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we measured herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) in response to 4 h of insect feeding vibrations using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers in small collection chambers and a miniature Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) system. The concentrations of Eugenol, β-caryophyllene, β-ionone, and MeSA increased within 4 h in response to insect feeding vibrations, indicating that these HIPVs are a sensitive response to this initial signal of herbivore attack.