2019 journal article

A molecular and genomic reference system for conifer defence against insects

Plant Cell and Environment.

By: J. Whitehill * & J. Bohlmann*

Contributors: J. Whitehill * & J. Bohlmann*

author keywords: adaptation; bark beetle; chemical defence and physical defence; forest health; Pissodes strobi; plant insect interaction; plant resistance; stone cells (sclereids); terpene oleoresin; white pine weevil or spruce weevil
MeSH headings : Animals; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Genomics; Host-Parasite Interactions / immunology; Insecta; Microbiota; Oviposition; Phenotype; Pinus; Plant Diseases / immunology; Plant Diseases / parasitology; Proteome; Terpenes / pharmacology; Tracheophyta / immunology; Transcriptome; Weevils
TL;DR: Conifer defences that disrupt the weevil life cycle and mechanisms by which trees resist weevil attack are reviewed, highlighting molecular and genomic aspects and a possible role for theWeevil microbiome. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: ORCID
Added: August 24, 2020

AbstractInsect pests are part of natural forest ecosystems contributing to forest rejuvenation but can also cause ecological disturbance and economic losses that are expected to increase with climate change. The white pine or spruce weevil (Pissodes strobi) is a pest of conifer forests in North America. Weevil–host interactions with various spruce (Picea) species have been explored as a genomic and molecular reference system for conifer defence against insects. Interactions occur in two major phases of the insect life cycle. In the exophase, adult weevils are free‐moving and display behaviour of host selection for oviposition that is affected by host traits. In the endophase, insects live within the host where mobility and development from eggs to young adults are affected by a complex system of host defences. Genetic resistance exists in several spruce species and involves synergism of constitutive and induced chemical and physical defences that comprise the conifer defence syndrome. Here, we review conifer defences that disrupt the weevil life cycle and mechanisms by which trees resist weevil attack. We highlight molecular and genomic aspects and a possible role for the weevil microbiome. Knowledge of this conifer defence system is supporting forest health strategies and tree breeding for insect resistance.