Glycyrrhiza Volatiles Mediate the Host Preference of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)1

Licorice of the taxonomic genus Glycyrrhiza is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. Its large-scale cultivation is threatened by insect pests, including the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Our study (1) examined the preference of B. tabaci for G. uralensis Fischer ex de Candolle, G. glabra L., and G. inflata Batalin through caged trials; (2) identified the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by the three Glycyrrhiza species using headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS); and (3) screened the olfactory behavior responses of B. tabaci to the key VOCs identified. The caged host preference trial showed that B. tabaci had a clear preference for G. uralensis over G. inflata and G. glabra . Through HS-GC-MS analysis, we identified 26, 33, and 31 VOCs from G. uralensis , G. glabra , and G. inflata , respectively. (3 Z )-Hexen-3-ene-1-yl acetate, trans -3-hexen-1-ol, cis -3-hexen-1-ol, 3-carene, and β-pinene were selected for further olfactory response assays on the basis of variable importance projection values and quantity differences. From these, we learned that cis -3-hexene-1-ol and trans -3-hexene-1-ol, abundant in G. uralensis , attract B. tabaci , whereas 3-carene and β-pinene, abundant in G. inflata , repel B. tabaci . The different VOCs from these three species of licorice may be primary factors affecting the preference for and feeding on cultivated licorice by B. tabaci . Our results will facilitate studies on the potential of using selected VOCs for managing B. tabaci , perhaps in push–pull strategies of their use against the pest.