AUTHOR=Wang Shuangye , Chen Zihao , Wang Mengxin , Zhang Meiwen , Zhang Chen , Huang Tian , Zhao Yunlin , Xu Zhenggang 

TITLE=The feeding preference and bite response between Microtus fortis and Broussonetia papyrifera

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1361311

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1361311

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p><italic>Broussonetia papyrifera</italic> is a dioecious plant that is rich in various metabolites and widely distribute in Asia. <italic>Microtus fortis</italic> is a rodent that often causes damage to crops, especially in the Dongting Lake region of China. There is a wide overlap in the distribution areas for the above species and the <italic>M. fortis</italic> feeds on the leaves of the <italic>B. papyrifera</italic>. Preliminary experiments have shown that the reproduction of <italic>M. fortis</italic> is inhibited after feeding on the leaves of the <italic>B. papyrifera</italic>.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>In order to explore the potential of using <italic>B. papyrifera</italic> to develop botanical pesticides, we investigated the palatability and reactive substances. The feeding frequency of <italic>M. fortis</italic> on <italic>B. papyrifera</italic> leaves to that of on daily fodder and <italic>Carex brevicuspis</italic> that is the primary food for the wild population were compared. We also attempted to identify the responsive substances in <italic>B. papyrifera</italic> leaves that were bitten by <italic>M. fortis</italic> using metabolome analysis.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>In general, <italic>B. papyrifera</italic> leaves exhibited a stronger attraction to <italic>M. fortis</italic>. <italic>M. fortis</italic> foraged <italic>B. papyrifera</italic> leaves more frequently, and the intake was higher than that of the other two. Differential metabolites were screened by comparing normal leaves and leaves bitten by <italic>M. fortis</italic>, meanwhile with the intervention of clipped leaves. A total of 269 substances were screened, and many of these were involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including terpenoids and alkaloids. These substances may be related to the defense mechanism of <italic>B. papyrifera</italic> against herbivores.</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>These findings support further research examining animal–plant interactions and simultaneously provide insights into the utilisation of <italic>B. papyrifera</italic> resources and the management of rodents. The good palatability and the defense of <italic>B. papyrifera</italic> leaves suggest that they have the potential to contribute in development of plant rodenticide.</p></sec>