10. Corn seedlings can attract parasitoid wasps that target Lepidoptera herbivor
ID: 261885 • Letter: 1
Question
10. Corn seedlings can attract parasitoid wasps that target Lepidoptera herbivores feeding on leaves. Corn seedlings can also attract insect-feeding nematodes that target Diabrotica herbivores that damage roots. A cartoon of this process is shown below Attraction Lepidoptera Herbivore Parasitic wasp Volatiles Image modified from Plant Physiology 149:96-102 sVolatiles Diabrotica Nematodes Damage Attraction In this herbivore defense system in corn seedlings, the elicitors are produced by: (2 points) A. B. C. D. E. F. Corn seedling Parasitoid wasps and insect-feeding nematodes Lepidoptera and Diabrotica herbivores Parasitoid wasps Diabrotica herbivores and insect-feeding nematodes Lepidoptera herbivores, parasitoid wasps, Diabrotica herbivores and insect feeding nematodesExplanation / Answer
Elicitors are those exogenous or extrinsic molecules which are generally produced by invader species or pest-species in plant physiology which generate a biochemical that binds to the plant cell receptors and bring about a deleterious effect on the plant. Here, the information states that the root-damaging insect as well as the Lepidoptera herbivore both are attracted by the corn seedlings. However, the Diabrotica insect in the roots causes direct damage to the roots and hence the whole plant. Thus, it is very likely that the Diabrotica insect itself releases some elicitor molecules which are received by the plant thus causing the damage. It is important to note here that the roots are often associated with other soil-borne nematodes which can also damage the plant. Further, the aerial insect can also harm the plant but only by consuming the leaves, hence no chemical is released in this case.
Thus, this suggests that choice E is the correct answer.
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