Transcriptome profiling reveals generality and specificity of maize response to three close related Spodoptera species

Feeding by different caterpillars of Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera exigua, and Spodoptera littoralis similarly affect the defense responses of maize plants, whereas maize plants fine-tune their gene expression and signaling pathways in response to different Spodoptera species, and the perception of caterpillar oral secretions may be involved in this process. Besides revealing the generality and specificity of maize response to feeding by these lepidopteran caterpillars, the dataset provides a molecular resource for further studies on the identification and characterization of herbivore-specific elicitors and effectors. This information will be used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of how well-adapted herbivorous insects control and interfere with maize defenses.