植食性昆虫排泄物在激发或抑制植物防御反应中发挥着重要作用，然而，至今，对于昆虫排泄物中调控植物防御反应的化学信号物及其调控机理还少见报道。我们的先期研究发现茶蚜蜜露可抑制茶尺蠖诱导的茶树防御信号分子和防御化合物的积累。为此，本项目将以茶树、茶蚜和茶尺蠖为研究对象，利用分子生物学、化学、微生物学以及昆虫学等研究技术与方法，在进一步分析茶蚜蜜露对茶尺蠖诱导茶树防御反应的抑制作用、从而影响茶树直接和间接抗虫性的基础上，分离鉴定蜜露中抑制茶尺蠖诱导防御反应的活性化合物，并分析这些活性化合物单独或联合使用对茶尺蠖取食诱导的茶树防御反应（转录组、防御相关信号转导途径、防御化合物含量等）及其对茶尺蠖及其天敌、茶蚜本身等种群适合度的影响，从而全面揭示茶蚜蜜露抑制茶尺蠖诱导茶树防御反应的机理。研究的实施，不仅在理论上可加深对植物诱导抗虫性的认识，而且在实践上也可为利用植物抗虫性防治害虫提供理论与技术指导。

Herbivore feces play important roles in inducing or inhibiting plant defenses. However, thus far, only few studies have investigated the chemical cues in herbivore feces that regulate plant defenses and their underling mechanisms. Our previous studies found that honeydew of Toxoptera aurantii inhibits accumulation of defense-related signal molecules and defensive compounds in tea plants that are infested by Ectropis obliqua. In this project, using T. aurantii, E. obliqua, and tea plant (Camellia sinensis) as a research system, we, by combining molecular biology, chemistry, microbiology and entomology, will further analyze the inhibited effect of T. aurantii honeydew on the defense responses in tea plants induced by the infestation of E. obliqua; this effect will finally influences the direct and indirect resistance of tea plants to herbivores. After this, we will isolate and identify active chemicals existed in T. aurantii honeydew, and dissect their effects (single or joint exogenous application) on defense responses in tea plants induced by the infestation by E. obliqua, including tea transcriptomes, levels of defense-related signals and defensive compounds in tea plants and the direct and indirect resistance of tea plants to herbivores such as E. obliqua and T. aurantii. This comprehensive analysis will completely elucidate the mechanism underlying inhibition of T. aurantii honeydew on defense responses in tea plants induced by infestation of Ectropis obliqua larvae. The study will not only provide new integrity insights into mechanisms responsible for induced plant herbivore resistance, but also lay the foundation for controlling insect pests by exploiting induced plant defense-based techniques.