Caterpillar, fungus in cahoots to threaten fruit, nut crops, study finds
Monday, November 5, 2018 - 20:20
in Biology & Nature
New research reveals that Aspergillus flavus, a fungus that produces carcinogenic aflatoxins that can contaminate seeds and nuts, has a multilegged partner in crime: the navel orangeworm caterpillar, which targets some of the same nut and fruit orchards afflicted by the fungus. Scientists report that the two pests work in concert to overcome plant defenses and resist pesticides.