About this Research Topic
The interaction between insects and plants is one of the most common ecological relationships in nature. It caused the extraordinary diversity of insects and shaped their complex physiological systems. If the whole life history of an insect is a “drama”, plants must be the protagonists in the “arena”. Plants either directly act on herbivores, natural enemies, and pollinators via mechanical structures or chemical compounds, or indirectly affect their physiology through the food chain. Meanwhile, insects could regulate plant responses via physical and chemical signals to achieve fitness in nature.
With the deepening of our understanding of this ecological relationship, the research on insect physiology has stepped onto a new level. Here, we are pleased to announce the launch of a new research topic of “Insect Physiological Changes During Insect-Plant Interaction” in Frontiers in Physiology. This topic will highlight 1) how insects use their signals to regulate the plant response, 2) how physiological changes happen in herbivores, natural enemies, and pollinators during their interaction with plants, 3) how these regulatory signals and physiological changes of insects could be affected by other biotic and abiotic factors, such as microorganisms and ongoing climate change.
We welcome investigators to submit Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Methods, and Perspective articles covering potential sub-topics that include, but are not limited to:
1. Characterization of elicitors, effectors, and modulators released by insects that regulate plant responses.
2. Molecular mechanisms of insects’ physiological response to plants’ structures.
3. Characterization of insect response to the chemical compounds of plants.
4. Mechanisms of microorganisms and other biotic factors’ influence on insects’ response to plants.
5. Mechanisms of influences of climate change on insects’ response to plants.
With the deepening of our understanding of this ecological relationship, the research on insect physiology has stepped onto a new level. Here, we are pleased to announce the launch of a new research topic of “Insect Physiological Changes During Insect-Plant Interaction” in Frontiers in Physiology. This topic will highlight 1) how insects use their signals to regulate the plant response, 2) how physiological changes happen in herbivores, natural enemies, and pollinators during their interaction with plants, 3) how these regulatory signals and physiological changes of insects could be affected by other biotic and abiotic factors, such as microorganisms and ongoing climate change.
We welcome investigators to submit Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Methods, and Perspective articles covering potential sub-topics that include, but are not limited to:
1. Characterization of elicitors, effectors, and modulators released by insects that regulate plant responses.
2. Molecular mechanisms of insects’ physiological response to plants’ structures.
3. Characterization of insect response to the chemical compounds of plants.
4. Mechanisms of microorganisms and other biotic factors’ influence on insects’ response to plants.
5. Mechanisms of influences of climate change on insects’ response to plants.
Keywords: Insect-Plant Interaction, Insect Physiology, Plant Defense, Herbivores, Natural Enemies, Pollinators, Microorganisms, Climate Change
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
