Some plants “scream” when they’re under attack

Some plants "scream" when they're under attack

Did you know that some plants “scream” when they’re under attack?

While they don’t make audible sounds, they do emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that act like chemical distress signals. When a plant is being munched on by insects or infected by a pathogen, it releases these VOCs into the air. Nearby plants can “smell” these chemicals and ramp up their own defenses in response.

But it gets even more curious: some studies have shown that certain predatory insects can detect these distress signals and home in on the affected plants to find their prey. It’s as if the plant’s scream is both a cry for help and a lure for reinforcements!