This Plant Summons Wasps When Under Attack, And We Finally Know How

Scientists traced how common bean plants detect caterpillar feeding through an inceptin-sensing receptor.

That receptor triggers an herbivore-specific defense response, releasing volatile compounds that attract predatory wasps.

In field tests in Oaxaca, beans with the receptor drew more wasp activity than plants without it.

The finding pinpoints a key plant immunity pathway that could help breed pest-resistant crops.