Introductory remarks

This symposium aims to bring together researchers from different backgrounds to discuss the impact of human-mediated selection on plant traits, and the resulting effects on interactions with insect herbivores. The domestication of crops has led to significant changes in plant morphology, physiology, and defense mechanisms. These changes can have important implications for the ecology and evolution of plant-insect interactions, influencing the diversity and abundance of herbivores and their natural enemies, as well as shaping the coevolutionary dynamics between plants and insects. This symposium will feature talks and discussions on the genetic, physiological, and ecological mechanisms underlying the effects of crop domestication on plant-insect interactions, as well as the potential consequences for food security and sustainable agriculture. The symposium will bring together early and established career researchers from different fields, including entomology, ecology, evolution, and agriculture, with the aim of promoting a holistic understanding of the complex interplay between humans, crops, insect herbivores, and their natural enemies.