Plant volatiles mediate Aphis gossypii settling but not predator foraging in intercropped cotton.

Garlic and onion volatiles interfere with A. gossypii settling, but do not affect its main (ladybird) predators. Meanwhile, early-season cotton-onion intercrops bear higher numbers of A. gossypii predators and fewer aphids. By thus unveiling the ecological underpinnings of aphid biological control in diversified cropping systems, our work advances non-chemical management of a globally-important crop pest. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.