Science. 1990 Nov 30;250(4985):1251-3. doi: 10.1126/science.250.4985.1251.
Corn seedlings release large amounts of terpenoid volatiles after they have been fed upon by caterpillars. Artificially damaged seedlings do not release these volatiles in significant amounts unless oral secretions from the caterpillars are applied to the damaged sites. Undamaged leaves, whether or not they are treated with oral secretions, do not release detectable amounts of the terpenoids. Females of the parasitic wasp Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) learn to take advantage of those plant-produced volatiles to locate hosts when exposed to these volatiles in association with hosts or host by-products. The terpenoids may be produced in defense against herbivores but may also serve a secondary function in attracting the natural enemies of these herbivores.
玉米苗在被毛毛虫取食后会释放大量萜烯类挥发物。人工损伤的玉米苗在没有毛毛虫唾液作用于损伤部位的情况下，不会大量释放这些挥发物。未受损伤的叶片，无论是否经过毛毛虫唾液处理，都不会释放出可检测到的萜类化合物。寄生蜂玉米螟绒茧蜂（Cresson）的雌性在接触到与寄主或寄主副产物相关的这些挥发物时，会学会利用这些植物产生的挥发物来定位寄主。萜烯类化合物可能是在防御草食动物的过程中产生的，但也可能在吸引这些草食动物的天敌方面发挥次要作用。
