Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants

Plants exploit environmental cues about the risks of encountering insect herbivores, often sensitising defensive responses. While herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are reported to enhance plant defences against incoming herbivores, responses to oviposition-induced plant volatiles (OIPVs) are massively under-explored. We studied whether OIPV emissions from Brassica napus enhance defences in non-damaged neighbouring B. napus when subsequently infested with Pieris brassicae larvae. We collected and analysed emission rates of plant volatile organic compounds under different treatments and measured P. brassicae larvae biomass as a proxy for defence. We show that oviposition triggers the release of specific volatiles, i.e. α-pinene, dimethyl-trisulfide, and limonene, potentially serving as herbivore early warning cues for neighbouring non-damaged plants. Initially, after three days of herbivory, OIPV-receivers emitted lower levels of volatiles compared to control receivers; however, f..., , , # Data from: Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.69p8cz99c](10.5061/dryad.69p8cz99c)

## Description of the data and file structure

This dataset originates from an experimental study investigating plant volatile-mediated interactions between winter rapeseed (Brassica napus BRV703) and the large cabbage white butterfly (*Pieris brassicae*). The study aimed to analyse the impact of oviposition-induced plant volatiles (OIPVs) on plant defence priming against caterpillars. The dataset includes volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements and larval performance data.

Plants (4-5 weeks old) were assigned to four treatment groups. The abbreviations used in the dataset were changed in the manuscript for simplicity.

* Egg-infested plants (Em, written as E in the manuscript): Exposed to P. brassicae eggs.
* OIPV-receiver plants (Re, written as RE in the manuscript): Exposed to volatiles ...,