1.Herbivore‐induced changes in plant volatile emissions mediate above‐belowground interactions by determining host plant colonization of different herbivores. By changing shoot‐emitted volatiles, belowground herbivores may use the plant to extend their capacity to interact with aboveground con‐ and heterospecifics. 2.We investigated the attractiveness of Triadica sebifera plants infested by larvae of a specialist beetle or root‐knot nematodes to aboveground herbivores. We then determined the contribution of leaf volatiles to the observed recruitment patterns using olfactometer experiments. We also identified volatiles through GC‐MS and electroantennography, and conducted field experiments to confirm their effects. 3.Leaf volatiles induced by the root‐feeding larvae attracted aboveground conspecific adults in laboratory and field experiments, but repelled a heterospecific specialist weevil, whereas induction by root‐knot nematodes had no effects on either. Greater leaf consumption by conspecific adults increased root nutrients, decreased root defenses, and facilitated root feeding larval performance. Thus, larvae and adults appear to manipulate their host plant, which increases aggregation aboveground and feeding belowground. 4.SynthesisThe resulting colonization dynamics may shape the composition of plant rhizosphere and phyllosphere herbivore communities by enhancing conspecific establishment and reducing colonization by other herbivores. By modifying aboveground volatiles and aboveground herbivore behavior, root feeders could mediate plant and leaf herbivore interactions and benefit via plant responses to aboveground feeding.