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Plant biology

Night moves of pregnant moths

Tobacco plants attacked by caterpillars release different blends of volatile compounds by day and night. Those released at night tell nocturnal moths not to approach — a signal that benefits both plants and moths.

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Figure 1: Tobacco plants use different blends of volatile compounds by day and by night, as shown by De Moraes and colleagues1.

References

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Correspondence to Clarence A. Ryan.

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Ryan, C. Night moves of pregnant moths. Nature 410, 530–531 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35069170

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