By emitting chemical distress signals, some corn, cotton, and tobacco plants can summon tiny parasitic wasps to rescue them from hungry caterpillars...But until recently, researchers believed that plants use the same SOS distress signal--no matter what the attacker...Now, a team of scientists has proven otherwise by showing that plants actually emit signals specific to the caterpillar pest attacking them.
I always knew something like this must have existed, but it's fascinating to think scientists from the USDA have actually proven the theory. It does make you realise that if corn, cotton, and tobacco plants can recognize that a caterpillar is attacking it and call for help, that maybe other plants have something similar.
It makes you wonder whether plants actually can feel pain or whether this is a purely chemical reaction triggered by the saliva of the caterpillar. Either way, it puts new meaning to the debate about cutting down old and established trees.
