COMPARISON OF VOLATILE COMPOUNDS INDUCED BY APHIDS AND MECHANICAL DAMAGE IN ACHILLEA COLLINA

This work describes the application of a Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction method (HS-SPME) to characterize the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in vivo by Achillea collina plants infested by the aphid species Myzus persicae. VOCs induced by mechanical damage simulating the aphid’s damage were also investigated. Many volatiles appeared as new compounds after infestation as well as after mechanical damage. In particular, among terpenes we found α- fenchene, cisβ-terpinol, pinocarvone, aromadendrene, iso-caryophyllene, Dgermacrene and α-patchoulene. (3Z)-hex-3-enyl acetate was the most abundant volatile compound isolated in mechanically damaged plants. New insight in plantinsect interaction may positively reflect on new pest and crop management strategies in the future.