Insect Host Choice: Don't Put All the Eggs in One Basket

Abstract

Unlike mammals, most insects have no chance to personally take care of their offspring. Insect mothers, therefore, carefully weigh egg-laying options to select an optimal site, which guarantees better survival and fitness for their progeny. A new study in oriental fruit flies reveals that gravid females rely on a bacteria-derived odour - β-caryophyllene - to avoid competition for their offspring.