The battle between plants and insects

Research by UC Irvine's Kailen Mooney sought to determine the relationship among plant growth, how plants defend themselves against plant-eaters and the protection plants receive from predators such as ladybugs that eat plant-hungry insects. The herbivores -- in this case bright yellow aphids -- damage plants; ladybugs can act as bodyguards, helping plants by eating aphids.
The researchers asked: Can plants have it all? Can they grow quickly and defend themselves against herbivores while at the same time solicit protection from ladybugs and other bodyguards? The answer: No.
Read more here.