Read: How insects spot virus-infected plants?

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: As per a recently conducted research, experts have come to the conclusion and found out how insects find out diseased plants.

The leaves of the diseased or virus-infected plants reflect light differently to attract the attention of disease-spreading greenfly.

Plant viruses alter the surface of leaves, influencing how light is polarized and thereby helping insects to potentially 'see' infected plants, the findings showed.

The majority of vector-transmitted plant viruses are spread between host plants by insects, in particular by sap-sucking aphids -- more commonly known as greenfly -- which are thought to be sensitive to polarization patterns.

(With IANS inputs)