Phytoalexins from Brassica (Cruciferae) as oviposition stimulants for the cabbage root fly, Delia radicum

Bacteria species known to induce the biosynthesis of crucifer-specific phytoalexins have earlier been shown to be associated with Delia flies. Eleven crucifer-specific phytoalexins and related synthetic compounds were applied on surrogate paper leaves and offered to cabbage root flies in oviposition assays. Since three of these compounds (methoxybrassinin, cyclobrassinin, brassitin) proved to be significantly stimulatory whereas the remaining metabolites had no effect, the reaction of the fly appears to be structure-specific. Inactive phytoalexins had no inhibitory effect on oviposition. 100 mu g of methoxybrassinin per surrogate leaf was as stimulatory as 0.05 gle (gram leaf equivalent) of a methanolic host-leaf (Brassica oleracea) extract. Thus the three active phytoalexins can explain only part of the activity of host-pant extracts but might induce a preference for infected plants.