Evolutionary ecology: wasp mother's little helpers

Curr Biol. 2005 Mar 8;15(5):R163-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.02.040.

Abstract

The medical application of antibiotics dramatically reduced human infant mortality in the previous century. A new study indicates that ground nesting wasps exploit Streptomyces strains that they rear in their antennae for the same purpose.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / biosynthesis*
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Larva / microbiology
  • Larva / physiology
  • Selection, Genetic
  • Species Specificity
  • Streptomyces / metabolism*
  • Symbiosis*
  • Wasps / microbiology*
  • Wasps / physiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents