Plant Defense: Timing Is Everything Jeffrey A. Riffell  Current Biology  Volume 27, Issue 9, Pages R344-R346 (May 2017) DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.03.062 Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 The Nicotiana attenuata–Manduca sexta system. In the Southwest USA, the N. attenuata tobacco plant (A) operates as both an important nectar resource for nighttime foraging adult M. sexta moths (B), and also as the hostplant for developing M. sexta larvae (C). N. attenuata solves this conflict between herbivory and pollination by temporal control of the volatile (E)-α-bergamotene from leaves and flowers. (E)-α-bergamotene emitted from flowers operates as an attractant for nighttime adult moths while daytime emission from leaves attracts carnivorous insects that feed on the M. sexta larvae. The tissue-specific temporal control of (E)-α-bergamotene emissions between flowers (emits at night) and leaves (emits during day) facilitates pollination while mitigating herbivory. Images courtesy of R. Wolf, C. Hedgecock, and M. Pankratz. Current Biology 2017 27, R344-R346DOI: (10.1016/j.cub.2017.03.062) Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Terms and Conditions