Plant-insect interactions

Recent research shows partially overlapping signal transduction pathways co ntrolling responses to wounding, insects, and pathogens. Chemical and behav ioral assays show that plants release herbivore-specific volatiles, and tha t parasitic wasps can distinguish between these emission patterns. QTL mapp ing and candidate gene studies are beginning to identify polymorphic resist ance genes, and ecological analyses provide information on the physiologica l and fitness costs of resistance. Such multidisciplinary approaches can el ucidate the physiological causes and ecological consequences of plant-herbi vore interactions.