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Insects cultivate 'antibiotic-producing bacteria' in their antennae

03-31-2007 · EurekAlert!

Bacteria live in, on and around us and other organisms with sometimes very beneficial results. For the first time scientists have shown that one species of insect deliberately cultivates bacteria in its antennae in order to protect their larvae from fungal attack. This highly specialised interaction between an insect species and bacteria protects the insect's offspring against microorganisms which might infect it during its cocoon stage.

Keywords: insects, cultivate, antibiotic-producing, bacteria, antennae, insect, antibiotic, producing

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