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… Click to show full 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.
               
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