Plants have evolved a remarkable array of strategies to defend themselves against herbivores, and one such strategy involves attracting insects that act as natural enemies to these plant-eating pests. The fascinating interplay between plants, insects, and the chemical signals they utilize continues to captivate researchers in the field.

In the case of the beet armyworm caterpillar, scientists have discovered that its saliva contains a chemical called volicitin, which plays a crucial role in eliciting a defensive response from the plant. When the caterpillar feeds on corn seedlings, the volicitin triggers the release of chemical signals from the leaves, effectively attracting parasitic wasps. These wasps, in turn, prey on the caterpillars, pr ...

I'm certainly a tomato lover. I enjoy them fresh in sandwiches, roasted on chicken, and fried with eggs. So when I randomly came across the photo you see in the middle, I knew I had to share a thing or two about this heirloom that's best known as the giant Belgium tomato. According to its growers, this variety is distinctive for its fruit that averages 2 lbs., but has been known to grow to an enormous 5 lbs! Tomatoes are dark pink and solid meat with smooth blossom ends and a delicious sweet flavor. Some people even make wine from these very sweet tomatoes. Planting season is now, make sure to find their seeds and plant a few. Probably won't regret it.


PS: I'm quite certain this would be the tomato Lisa Simpson grew before Bart sabotaged it! ...