Aphid deterrence by glucose esters in glandular trichome exudate of the wild tomato,Lycopersicon pennellii.

Settling of the potato aphid,Macrosiphum euphorbiae, on feeding membranes was deterred by methanolic leaf rinses ofLycopersicon pennellii, or of its F1 with tomato,L. esculentum. The active compounds in theL. pennellii rinsates were identified as 2,3,4-tri-O-acylglucoses bearing short to medium chain length fatty acids. These compounds are localized in the glandular exudate of the type IV trichomes and may accumulate to levels in excess of 400 µg/cm(2). In choice assays, purified glucose esters fromL. pennellii reduced aphid settling at concentrations as low as 25 µg/cm(2); at concentrations of 150 µg/cm(2) or more, all aphids avoided treated areas. Glucose esters were also active in deterring aphid settling in no-choice assays. At 100 µg/ cm(2), these esters resulted in increased levels of mortality after 48 hr.