Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) influence plant-insect interactions, yet how they modulate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to affect insect behavior remains unclear. This study integrates physiological assays, GC-MS volatile metabolomics, and insect bioassays to investigate how (Fm) and (Ri) inoculation affects growth and its resistance to . The results showed that Fm and Ri inoculation both promoted plant growth but differed in defense strategies. Ri inoculation increased the tannin content (16.98%) and polyphenol oxidase activity (40.52%), whereas Fm inoculation showed neutral effects. VOC profiling revealed that Ri inoculation upregulated leaf monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids, while Fm inoculation reduced sesquiterpenes (e.g., β-selinene). Insect bioassays showed that Ri inoculation inhibited the insect growth, whereas Fm inoculation promoted the insect growth and enhanced its feeding preference. These results revealed that AMF triggers a plant growth-defense trade-off, with sesquiterpenoid regulation critical for insect behavioral shifts. The findings provide a basis for sustainable pest management using AMF-plant symbiosis.