Dispensing synthetic green leaf volatiles in maize fields increases the release of sesquiterpenes by the plants, but has little effect on the attraction of pest and beneficial insects

► Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) may effect plant-plant and plant-insect interactions. ► The effects of GLVs were tested under realistic conditions in maize plots in Mexico. ► GLV-exposure made plants respond with stronger emissions of inducible volatiles. ► GLVs increased the presence of herbivorous insect, but not of parasitic wasps.