4: Opening a can of worms: Do AMF alter belowground interactions between plants, root herbivores, and their natural enemies?

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) occur naturally in soils and are important biocontrol agents. EPN use odor cues to locate and infect their insect hosts. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are another group of naturally occurring soil microbes and form mutualistic associations with their host plants. However, AMF colonization can alter host plant chemistry and volatile emissions. In this study, we explore the belowground multi-trophic interactions between AMF, plants, root herbivores (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), and EPN. Using belowground olfactometers, we isolate the behavioral responses of EPN to odors emitted by maize plants that were grown with or without AMF colonization and damage by D. virgifera virgifera. Root volatiles were also collected to determine which compounds could play a role in mediating these interactions.