Trees also have 'treasure'

Black mustard has 'hired' horned warriors to protect it against the invasion of a butterfly. This is clear evidence that plants also have 'storage', according to a new study.

According to Live Science, plants often emit chemical signals that warn of danger when they are plague, pests, and even lawn mowers.

A parasitic wasp is attacking the eggs
moth on black mustard. (Photo: Live Science)

Black mustard - a relative of the vegetable plant - always produces chemicals called 'tree evaporation' when a butterfly appears to intend to reside on its leaves. A group of European researchers have explored the role of these signals in building plant defenses.

In the study results report published in the newly published issue of PLoS ONE, the authors said that black mustard plants emit a characteristic odor when large white butterflies have the scientific name Pieris brassicae spawn. on its leaves. This scent has the effect of eliminating other pregnant butterflies to lay eggs on plants, while also attracting two parasitic wasps Trichogramma brassicae and Cotesia glomerata .

According to the research team led by expert Nina Fatouros from the University of Wageningen (Netherlands), the wasps plunged in and practiced the eggs of the butterflies as well as the caterpillars hatched from there. What protection mechanism prevents the caterpillars from eating and eating away the leaves of the black mustard tree? In return, parasitic wasps will be fattened with eggs and caterpillars.

The study found that the above reaction of mustard plants was exclusively dedicated to dealing with butterflies Pieris brassicae. When a harmful organism is less common, mousse (Mamestra brassicae), laying eggs on trees, researchers do not see this plant smelling like 'preservation'.