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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions
11:42

Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions

Published on: September 30, 2016

Code of ant-plant mutualism broken by parasite

D K Letourneau

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |April 13, 1990
    PubMed
    Summary

    Newly discovered Phyllobaenus beetles exploit a plant-ant mutualism by tricking Piper ant-plants into producing food bodies. These parasitic beetles disrupt the symbiotic relationship, potentially harming the plants.

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