Science & technology | Plants, aphids, wasps and L-DOPA

Plants call for help with a chemical employed by people as a drug

They talk through their roots, asking others to summon wasps, using L-DOPA

ACRAXR Parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi laying eggs in a mottled arum aphid — Image: Alamy

Feb 15th 2023

Botanists have known for years that some plants send distress calls when under attack from herbivorous insects such as aphids, and that these calls lead neighbours to release volatile chemicals which draw other insects into the area, to attack the attackers. This response brings mutual benefits. It helps the plant already under attack. And it also stops the infestation spreading.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “News from the underground”