SYMBIOTIC BACTERIA

Jun 26 2025SCIENCE

Aphids, Bacteria, and the Heat Dilemma

Pea aphids have a unique relationship with a bacterium called Fukatsuia symbiotica. This bacterium is passed down from mother to offspring. It helps protect the aphids from fungal infections. However, this protection comes at a cost. When temperatures rise from cool to mildly warm, aphids with this bacterium struggle to reproduce. They produce few or no offspring. T...

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