<
https://theconversation.com/in-hawaii-parasites-and-viruses-team-up-in-the-battle-against-fruit-flies-an-entomologist-explains-the-implication-for-global-pest-control-234780>
"Take a stroll along one of the beaches on Hawaii Island in late summer, and
you’ll likely stumble upon almond-shaped fruits lying in the sand. Known as
false kamani nuts, or tropical almonds, they fall from tall, shady
Terminalia
catappa trees that line the many picturesque ocean views on the island.
But what may not be clear to the casual beachgoer is that there’s a fight for
survival occurring within the flesh of these unassuming fruits. Tropical
almonds are one of many active battlegrounds in a war between a global
agricultural pest, a parasitic wasp and a beneficial virus.
As an entomologist who studies insect viruses, I want to untangle the complex
interactions that insects have evolved with microbes. The findings might help
researchers tackle global food security issues."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
