Leveraging nature's potential for sustainable crop protection: A novel approach for uncovering protective functions of plant secondary metabolites based on insect receptors

The insect-plant arms-race produced a variety of valuable molecules, with many potentially applicable as alternatives to pesticides. A novel screening tool, LC-MS-ReceptomiX, might offer support to research and industry to unlock this opportunity. To showcase this, we will investigate the interaction between Erysimum spp. and cabbage specialists like Pieris butterflies. Erysimum spp. developed cardenolides, a new class of deterrents against Pieris spp. acting via a taste-mediated mechanism. Through LC-MS-ReceptomiX, we will identify both the specific deterrent compounds in the plant compounds and the insect taste receptors detecting them. These results will contribute to the development of safe biodeterrents.