Parasitoid wasp (Lysiphlebus fabarum) recently hatched from the mummy of its host, the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae). (Photo: Bart Zijlstra - www.bartzijlstra.com)
Parasitoid wasp (Lysiphlebus fabarum) recently hatched from the mummy of its host, the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae). (Photo: Bart Zijlstra - www.bartzijlstra.com) - Symbiotic relationships are not as rare as we sometimes think. Symbiosis is widespread in nature, for example in aphids. This refers to the close coexistence of two species that partially benefit from each other. For instance, the black bean aphid ( Aphis fabae ) harbours the bacterium Hamiltonella defensa in its body. These bacteria, which Prof. Christoph Vorburger from the aquatic research institute Eawag is studying, benefit from the aphid as a habitat. Because they live inside the host organism, they are also called endosymbionts (Greek "endon": inside).
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