Cockroaches lose their 'sweet tooth' to evade traps

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22611143




A strain of cockroaches in Europe has evolved to outsmart the sugar traps used to eradicate them.

American scientists found that the mutant cockroaches had a "reorganised" sense of taste, making them perceive the glucose used to coat poisoned bait not as sweet but rather as bitter.

A North Carolina State University team tested the theory by giving cockroaches a choice of jam or peanut butter.

They then analysed the insects' taste receptors, similar to our taste buds.

[LAGC]

1. It's fascinating when you think of our own particular tastes and preferences...

How many ancient people had to die eating the wrong plants or berries before only those who found them repugnant survived...

We owe our own taste preferences to millions of years of evolution, so much trial and error.

Sugar tastes "sweet" to most of us for a reason... of course, that sweet-tooth is more of a pox in this day and age.

[Enrique]

2. thanks for posting the picture

it is much appreciated!

[xchrom]

3. i try to be helpful. nt