Phytochemical induction by herbivores could affect quality of essential oils from aromatic plants

Plant tissues may show chemical changes following herbivory. In aromatic plants such changes could affect the specific compounds on which commercial exploitation is based. This possibility was analyzed for Mintosthachys mollis, a member of the Lamiaceae native to Central Argentina with medicinal and aromatic uses in the region, and two types of insect herbivores: a leaf miner and a gall insect. Analysis of the essential oils of mined/undamaged leaves, as well as leaves from stems with and without galls, revealed changes in concentrations of the two main monoterpenes. A decrease in pulegone concentration was associated with both types of insect damage, whereas menthone increased significantly only in mined leaves. Inducible chemical changes in aromatic and medicinal plants may be common and widespread; their economic implications deserve investigation.