Tobacco Has Allies

[lxskllr]

Pretty interesting stuff...

A tobacco plant may look like a harmless, tempting feast for herbivores, but it is capable of both direct and indirect chemical warfare. When attacked by hungry insects, the plant releases a complex mix of volatile chemicals. Some of these chemicals directly assault herbivore senses to make feeding more difficult, but a new study indicates that GLVs (Green Leaf Volatiles) go for an indirect attack by attracting natural predators that will feast on either the herbivores or their eggs.

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/...mbargo-thu.ars

[sgreger1]

Pretty interesting stuff...



http://arstechnica.com/science/news/...mbargo-thu.ars

How comes humans always get the short end of the evolutionary straw? I mean we have intelligence yes, but I mean how come over the past few milion years my body hasn't developed a way of secreting a chemical that disorients people who annoy me, causing them to stay away? For example, if some computer nerd is pestering me, my body should be automatically letting out scents that attract ex-highschool quarterback bullies to come take care of them for me. And why do I not have giant claws or the ability to jump 20 feet in the air?

[lxskllr]

You could try farting :^D

[snusgetter]

You could try farting :^D

And hope you're nowhere near a nerd with a fart fetish!!

[lxskllr]

That's evolution going the other way. It's a defense mechanism triggered by people using farts as an offensive deterrent. W00T! Farts. I like them!! :^P

[c.nash]

How comes humans always get the short end of the evolutionary straw? I mean we have intelligence yes, but I mean how come over the past few milion years my body hasn't developed a way of secreting a chemical that disorients people who annoy me, causing them to stay away? For example, if some computer nerd is pestering me, my body should be automatically letting out scents that attract ex-highschool quarterback bullies to come take care of them for me. And why do I not have giant claws or the ability to jump 20 feet in the air?

You can do that?