Flavonoids mediate systemic defenses induced by root feeding in cotton

Plant-herbivore interactions dominate food web links in terrestrial settings, thereby shaping ecosystem structure and functioning. Within a given plant, plant metabolites mediate the interplay between above- and below-ground herbivores. Here, we investigate how root feeding by larvae of Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) affects development and feeding behavior of an above-ground sap-feeder i.e., Acyrthosiphon gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on cotton. We further employ molecular approaches and in-vitro bioassays to elucidate how plant metabolites mediate these interactions. By unveiling the mechanistic basis of herbivore-induced plant defenses in cotton, our work clarifies ecological interplay between distinct herbivore guilds across ecological realms and informs improvements in pest management.