Below- and aboveground herbivory differentially affects transcripome in roots and shoot of maize

Plants can recognize herbivorous insects and respond by turning on their local and systemic defenses. Although local defense reactions to aboveground herbivores are well studied, less is known about the local defense of roots to attack by belowground herbivores. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the systemic response of maize plants to below- and aboveground insect herbivory are poorly understood. Here, we elucidate the maize transcriptome response to infestation by two well-adapted herbivores: belowground herbivore western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) or aboveground herbivore fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).