Combined transcript and metabolite analysis reveals genes involved in spider mite induced volatile formation in cucumber plants

In response to feeding by herbivorous insects many plant species produce volatile compounds, particularly terpenoids, that are used by natural enemies of the herbivores to locate their prey. We are studying the factors that regulate this volatile production in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) leaves upon feeding by the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and that are used as cues by the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. Cucumber shows a clear and specific induction of volatiles upon spider mite feeding or jasmonic acid spraying. Here we show how we use metabolomics and transcriptomics to isolate and characterize enzymes and genes involved in signaling and volatile production.