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A major crop pest can make tomato plants lie to their neighbors

Whiteflies use plants’ chemical eavesdropping powers to get an easier meal

Silverleaf whiteflies

FAKE NEWS  Silverleaf whiteflies can make a tomato plant give off deceptive smells that trick neighboring plants into becoming easier targets for the insects’ attack.

Runzhi Zhang

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Don’t blame the tomato. Tiny pests called silverleaf whiteflies can make a tomato plant spread deceptive scents that leave its neighbors vulnerable to attach.