The Times of India

A plant that calls for defense when it's being eaten? Study finds common bean plant secretly calls wasps to kill caterpillars on it

Common bean plants, a global food staple, possess a remarkable defense mechanism. When caterpillars chew their leaves, the plant releases a specific airborne signal, triggered by the insect's saliva. This scent attracts parasitic wasps, which then eliminate the caterpillar threat, showcasing a silent, sophisticated natural defense system honed over millions of years.