Manduca and Geocoris (IMAGE)

Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Manduca and Geocoris

Caption

A freshly hatched tobacco hornworm larva (Manduca sexta) is attacked by a predatory bug of the genus Geocoris. Only a few hours before, the feeding caterpillar had -- catalyzed by a substance in its oral secretion -- changed the chemistry of the plant's "green" odor in such a way as to produce the new odor which attracts its own enemy; the change is to the plant's advantage as it has lethal consequences for the caterpillar.

Credit

Matthey Film, Germany

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