Stinkbug Leg Organ Hosts Fungi to Protect Eggs from Parasites
TL;DR
Researchers discovered that female dinidorid stinkbugs have a specialized fungal nursery on their hindlegs, which they use to coat their eggs with protective fungi that deter parasitic wasps, challenging the previous assumption that this structure was an auditory organ and revealing a complex mutualistic defense strategy.
Topics:science#dinidorid-stinkbugs#fungal-symbiosis#hindleg-organ#insect-defense-mechanisms#parasitic-wasps#science
- Stinkbug Leg Organ Hosts Symbiotic Fungi That Protect Eggs from Parasitic Wasps Bioengineer.org
- These stink bugs use cordycep-like fungus to fend off parasitic wasps Yahoo
- Stinkbug ‘leg organ’ grows fungi for unexpected purpose cosmosmagazine.com
- Stinkbug's 'ears on legs' are really symbiotic organs that nurture fungi for guarding eggs against enemies, study finds Phys.org
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