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Mosiquito with white stripes and red abdomen on human skin
Mosquitoes Add Bacteria to Water to Help Larvae Grow: Preprint
Pregnant mosquito females deploy the microbe Elizabethkingia to speed larval growth; the larvae, in turn, help the bacteria outcompete other strains.
Mosquitoes Add Bacteria to Water to Help Larvae Grow: Preprint
Mosquitoes Add Bacteria to Water to Help Larvae Grow: Preprint

Pregnant mosquito females deploy the microbe Elizabethkingia to speed larval growth; the larvae, in turn, help the bacteria outcompete other strains.

Pregnant mosquito females deploy the microbe Elizabethkingia to speed larval growth; the larvae, in turn, help the bacteria outcompete other strains.

mutualism

Ants Produce Antibiotics that May Protect Plants
Emily Makowski | Mar 1, 2020 | 2 min read
The antimicrobial compounds ants excrete to defend themselves from pathogens may protect plants as well.
Image of the Day: Flood Protection
Catherine Offord | Oct 31, 2018 | 1 min read
Aphids induce their host plants to produce tiny hairs that help keep the surfaces water-repellent.
Image of the Day: Selfish Behavior
The Scientist | Jun 21, 2017 | 1 min read
Wasps use figs as breeding safe havens, pollinating their fruit shelters in return. Some wasps, however, solipsistically use their figs without fertilizing any seeds. 
Man and Bird Chat While Honey Hunting
Bob Grant | Jul 25, 2016 | 2 min read
A study suggests that humans and avians in sub-Saharan Africa communicate to find and mutually benefit from the sweet booty.
Parasite-Pathogen Partnership
Ashley P. Taylor | Mar 7, 2016 | 3 min read
Parasitic mites that transmit a honey bee-infecting virus may benefit from spreading the pathogen, a study shows.
Mammal–Carnivorous Plant Mutualism
Bob Grant | Jul 13, 2015 | 2 min read
A pitcher plant species in Borneo attracts bat inhabitants by reflecting sonar signals from the flying mammals, advertising a cozy roost, and getting nitrogen-rich guano in return.
Moths Are a Sloth’s Best Friend
Tracy Vence | Jan 22, 2014 | 2 min read
Scientists propose that the three-toed sloth’s risky bathroom behavior is governed by mutualisms with moths and algae.
From Parasites to Protectors
Dan Cossins | Sep 9, 2013 | 3 min read
Socially parasitic ants can serve as protective symbionts for their fungus-growing hosts in the face of attacks by predatory raiding species.
 
Week in Review, May 20–24
Bob Grant | May 24, 2013 | 4 min read
Journals plagiarizing journals; new immune cells combat diabetes; TB-killing vitamin C; analog cell computers; real time fish memory; ant-pitcher plant mutualism
Ants on Burglar Watch
Kate Yandell | May 22, 2013 | 3 min read
An ant species that lives on a carnivorous pitcher plant keeps nutrient thieves from escaping by eating them.
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