Small changes in the composition of green leaf volatiles
induced by herbivory guide ovipositing female moths to unattacked plants
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical
Ecology, Jena, Germany, discovered that the ability of Manduca sexta moths to
recognize changes in the profile of volatile compounds released by plants being
attacked by Manduca caterpillars allows them to lay their eggs on plants that
are less likely to be attacked by insects and other predators, and to avoid
competing against other caterpillars of the same species for resources.