Plant Reaction: Herbivory Feeding Trigger Calcium Signal and Leaflet Movement in Mimosa pudica

Original video: https://youtu.be/S-boT8FoHLc This video investigates whether insect feeding induces calcium-based movements in plants. We recorded the dynamics of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]cyt) in the tertiary pulvini of leaflets while a grasshopper fed on them. The video clearly shows that the grasshopper's chewing action triggers a significant increase in [Ca2+]cyt within the pulvini. This calcium increase is directly correlated with rapid leaflet movements. Interestingly, the video captures an instance (around the 60-second mark, after the second feeding attempt) where the leaflets fold in such a way that the grasshopper's leg is pinched. This leads to the grasshopper repetitively shaking its leg and eventually moving away from the leaf, suggesting a possible plant defense strategy activated by herbivore feeding and involving calcium signaling.

Keywords: Herbivory, Grasshopper Feeding, Calcium Signaling, [Ca²⁺]cyt, Leaflet Movement, Tertiary Pulvinus, Mimosa pudica, Plant-insect Interaction, Plant Physiology

Citation:

Hagihara, T., Mano, H., Miura, T. et al. Calcium-mediated rapid movements defend against herbivorous insects in Mimosa pudica. Nat Commun 13, 6412 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34106-x

Published on: 14 November 2022

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