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How bean plants call on wasps for help when hungry caterpillars attack
- May 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
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Some plants are not the sitting ducks they appear to be when they come under attack. If a hungry caterpillar starts to chomp on the succulent leaves of a common bean plant, a highly sophisticated defense system kicks into action. The plant sends out a chemical distress signal that summons predatory wasps to its aid. Now, a study published in the journal Science Advances reveals how the plant pulls off this trick.
Originally published at Phys.org