Press Releases

Max Planck researchers identify the crucial protein for controlling the biosynthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids and saponins in plants of the genus Solanum and for the first time demonstrate the ecological role of steroidal saponins in insect defense more

An enzyme originally derived from basic plant metabolism controls the synthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids, important defense substances in tomatoes. 
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A complex venom system allows antlions to overpower large prey more

Max Planck researchers describe a new endosymbiont that is widespread in insects and whose ecological role needs to be further investigated more

Researchers in Jena show that chemical information is represented completely differently in the brains of these insects than in other insects or vertebrates more

Elevated ozone levels increase the occurrence of mostly sterile hybrids between different species of the genus Drosophila more

Populations of ribwort plantain outside their original range are just as well defended as native populations, and in some cases even better more

Female moths primarily use their sense of smell to find the best host plants on which to lay their eggs, with the deterrent effect of caterpillar feces playing an important role more

The production of special plant defense compounds has evolved independently in distantly related plant families more