Digestive activity and organic compounds of Nezara viridula watery saliva induce defensive soybean seed responses

GIACOMETTI ROMINA; JACOBI VANESA; KRONBERG FLORENCIA; CHARALAMPOS PANAGOS; EDISON ARTHUR; ZAVALA JORGE

Scientific reports

Springer Nature

Año: 2020

2045-2322

The stink bug Nezara viridula is one of the most threatening pests for agriculture in North and South America, and its oral secretion may be responsible for the damage it causes in soybean (Glycine max) crop. The high level of injury to seeds caused by pentatomids is related to their feeding behavior, morphology of mouth parts and saliva, though information on the specific composition of the oral secretion is scarce. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the biochemical damage produced by herbivory to soybean developing seeds. We employed metabolomic and proteomic techniques to profile the insect saliva and understand the dynamics upon soybean-herbivore interaction. We describe the mouth parts of N. viridula and the presence of metabolites, proteins and active enzymes in the watery saliva that could be involved in seed cell wall modification, and in triggering plant defenses against herbivory. We did not detect in the oral secretion proteins from bacteria, yeasts, or from soybean after feeding. These results not only suggest that the digestive activity and organic compounds of watery saliva may elicit a plant self-protection response, but also add to our understanding of stink bugs saliva plasticity and its role in the struggle against soybean defenses.