Story perspectives

Plant Receptor Detects Caterpillar Saliva, Calls Insect Enemies

6/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

University of Washington biologist Adam Steinbrenner and his team identified an inceptin receptor that detects caterpillar saliva in bean plants grown in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The receptor binds the 11-amino-acid peptide In11, a chloroplast ATP-synthase fragment found in caterpillar regurgitate.
Binding In11 triggers a cascade that releases volatiles attracting the herbivore’s natural enemies.
Experiments with plants lacking the receptor confirmed its essential role in producing predator-summoning signals.

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Story summary

University of Washington biologist Adam Steinbrenner and his team identified an inceptin receptor that detects caterpillar saliva in bean plants grown in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The receptor binds the 11-amino-acid peptide In11, a chloroplast ATP-synthase fragment found in caterpillar regurgitate.
Binding In11 triggers a cascade that releases volatiles attracting the herbivore’s natural enemies.
Experiments with plants lacking the receptor confirmed its essential role in producing predator-summoning signals.