Insects and Plants

Over 50% of all insects are herbivores and insects have evolved mouthparts for feeding on an incredible diversity of plant tissues including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. Most insect herbivores are specialists, meaning they eat just a few, closely related plant species. The tight ecological interactions between insects and their host plants has lead to a seemingly endless arms race in which the plants evolve more elaborate mechanisms for protecting themselves from insects, and the insects evolve more complex ways of overcoming plant defenses. This coevolutionary arms race has lead to some remarkable outcomes, such as talking trees, plant-insect communication, and remarkable deception on the part of both insects and plants.

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If you have questions about today's lecture on insects and plants, please feel free to send an email to Scott McArt:
Email: shm33@cornell.edu