New Tool Opens a Bigger Window to Insect-Plant Warfare

摘要

piercing-sucking insects, they use needlelikestylets to insert saliva into plant tissuesand open a pathway to ingest fluids criticalto the plant’s survival. When punctured,the plant senses the attack and secretesproteins and other chemical defenses toprevent fluids from being pulled out, thuscreating a stress on the plant. This warfarecosts growers billions of dollars each yearin lost ornamentals, vegetables, citrus, andother important agricultural crops.