What do strawberry roots smell like, that Melolontha melolontha larvae like them so much? – On the trail of strawberry volatilome

Abstract: Nowadays, it is becoming more and more evident that soil-dwelling insect herbivores can use volatile organic compounds present in the vicinity of plant roots as cues for host localization and foraging. Our research aims at understanding how this relationship functions for the system composed by strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne) and European cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha Linnaeus.) larvae. Our observations suggest that M. melolontha larvae do not show specific food preferences between different strawberry
developmental stages. Moreover, we found a set of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
common of each tested strawberry stage, which could mediate the host plant localization
process. Results of these studies could be used for the development of novel sustainable plant
protection strategies.