Plants are not entirely at the mercy of their herbivore enemies. Often, chemical defences ensure that the plants are inedible, or even toxic, and as a result insects and other hungry animals steer ...

A study of the unusual digestive system of an ancient group of insects has provided new insights into future biofuel production. Published in Nature Communications, the research reveals that the ...

The study of α-amylase inhibitors and digestive enzymes in insect larvae offers crucial insights into insect physiology and crop protection. Insect larvae rely on α-amylase to hydrolyse starch, a ...

Some plants have evolved fascinating ways to supplement their nutrient intake by trapping and digesting insects. These carnivorous plants have developed specialised mechanisms to capture prey, ...

The degradation of plant defense substances by insect digestive enzymes can influence the insects' preference for certain food plants, a new study now shows for the first time. Scientists studied this ...