XIA Shang-Wen1 , 2 , CHEN Jin1
The volatiles release of five Ficus species that from different successional stages with same lifeform were studied in order to understand how these species perform differently in response to herbivores. For the leaves without damage , the pioneer species Ficus hispida released more volatiles than F . auriculata , F. oligodon . and F . racemosa , while the climax species F. altissima released the least amount of volatiles. After the treatment of artificial damage, all five Ficus species showed a increased amount in their volatile release , and the quantity of volatile for the five species were in the same order as they preformed in leaves without damage. When treated with woolly bear, larvae of Asota caricae Boisduval , a common lepidopter on Ficus plants , a F. hispida showed a reduced amount for volatile releases, and F. auriculata and F. oligodon showed a significant increase in the amount of more volatiles release , among which, Eucalyptol, a general insecticidal substance was produced. Asota caricae refused to feed the leaves of F. altissima, thus no data for the volatile release for F. altissima under herbivores in this study. The study indicated that Ficus species from different successional stages indeed preformed different responses to herbivore feeding and artificial damage.