Two types of basswood common to northeastern Iowa, Tilia cordata and Tilia americana, are annual targets of the species Popillia japonica (Japanese beetles). However, the beetles favor the leaves of T. cordata over T. americana at a rate of four to one (Ware and Miller). One possible explanation for this preference could be that T. americana emits a defensive volatile compound (or compounds), especially after having been injured by a beetle's mandibles. To test this hypothesis, samples from the two Tilia species were subjected to solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and the volatiles collected were analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both intact and artificially-injured leaves were tested; artificially-injured leaves were cut with a razor and smeared with an extract from the beetles' saliva to mimic a mass attack. Only injured T. americana leaves released Kaur-16-ene, a compound present in other plants and thought to have insect-repelling qualities (Wang, et al.).

Investigation into the eating preferences of Popillia japonica concerning Tilia cordata and Tilia americana

241st National Meeting (2011)

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