Manduca sexta on a wild tobacco leaf (IMAGE)

Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Manduca sexta on a wild tobacco leaf

Caption

The larva of a tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta on a wild tobacco leaf: A detailed chemical analysis of larval frass (small black ball) revealed how toxins are activated in the caterpillars, thus providing clues to the biosynthesis of the toxins in the plant, the reversed process in comparison to digestion, or as the scientists called it: the "digestive duet".

Credit

Anna Schroll

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.