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First Evidence That Some Insects May Rely On Photosynthesis

Posted by samzenpus on from the here-comes-the-sun dept.

tedlistens writes "The idea that aphids may use photosynthesis, as plants do, is based on the recent finding that the bugs are able to synthesize pigments called carotenoids. These pigments are common and necessary for many animals (for non-photosynthesis uses, like maintaining a healthy immune system), but the animal must consume them from outside sources. So far, only plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria are known to be able to synthesize carotenoids themselves, and, in all of those organisms, carotenoids are a key part of photosynthesis. While the co-author of the study, published in Nature's open-access journal Scientific Reports, cautions that more research is needed before we can determine if aphids are photosynthesizing like non-animals, it still could be one of the more remarkable findings in biology in recent memory, and may hold promise for helping address humanity's food crisis."

8 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. What food crisis? by NalosLayor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No, seriously. There is no food crisis. As a species we have a food distribution problem, and a food wastage problem and they're rather shocking at that, but we really have no issue with feeding the population of earth today without resorting to eating genetically modified photosynthetic aphids. Now, a long term lack of motor fuel, is a problem, but aphids don't really solve that either. Mind you, this is scientifically interesting, but there really is no need to tie every technically interesting scientific discovery to the end of the world. Believe it or not, some of us like science for science's own sake.

    1. Re:What food crisis? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      No, seriously. There is no food crisis. As a species we have a food distribution problem, and a food wastage problem and they're rather shocking at that, but we really have no issue with feeding the population of earth today ...

      There are too many people now, and we have no control over our own global population growth. Arguing that there is currently no food crisis, but rather a distribution problem is specious.

    2. Re:What food crisis? by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There are too many people now

      No, there's plenty of room and we can feed them (to the extent that we don't put food into our gas tanks, anyhow).

      and we have no control over our own global population growth

      Education - it works every time it's tried. Parts of Europe are so 'successful' that their populations are shrinking. There are States that repress their people, but we'll get those dealt with one of these centuries.

      Arguing that there is currently no food crisis, but rather a distribution problem is specious.

      Or accurate, if you care to examine the data.

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
    3. Re:What food crisis? by darkfeline · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Not entirely true (though I do agree with you mostly, honest!). Distribution is costly (a basic logistical problem), both in terms of time, money, and quality of food, and in some cases plainly impossible for the near future (If you ever wondered why food is so expensive in e.g. ski lodges, this is (part of) the reason). On-site production will always trump improved distribution where possible. Yes, we do have a food distribution problem, but we also have a food production problem as well.

    4. Re:What food crisis? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is Malthusian nonsense. The problem is not that there's too many people; that's a first world way to blame the mismanagement of resources on third world countries.

  2. helping address humanity's food crisis. by fustakrakich · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Humanity's food crisis is a political problem, not a technical one.

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  3. Re:Another quality slashdot article on science! by XiaoMing · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Considering how the peer-reviewed journal Nature ranks sixth overall in terms of impact factor, my guess is that there's more to the publication (and TFA) than your summary of it suggests.

  4. Re:People synthesize Vitamin D using sunlight by c0lo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    nature has a purpose for everything.

    Stop anthropomorphizing nature: it hates when you do it!

    --
    Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.