【英语时差8,16】毛毛虫与植物（下）

（单词翻译）

 Scientists have known for some time that many plants protect themselves from insect attacks by producing toxins¹ that either ward² off or kill insects when they attempt to have the plant for lunch. What scientists have only recently discovered, however, is that the common caterpillar³ is not without its own arsenal⁴ of chemical agents. According to recent studies, a caterpillar can sense when a plant is about to unleash⁵ its chemical weapons and counter act by producing anti-toxins to neutralize⁶ the plant’s attack. So far, caterpillars⁷ seem to have the upper hand. Although different plants produce a wide variety of toxins, many ultimately rely on two main chemicals. Since caterpillars have evolved to neutralize these chemicals, they are able to infest⁸ over one-hundred toxin-producing plant species across the United States.