top of page

Green Beans

Bug Trappers in Disguise

Photograph of fresh green beans

ADVERTISEMENTS

Ad Template.png

Add 1st Ad Title

insert ad description here

Ad Template.png

Add 1st Ad Title

insert ad description here

If you’ve ever taken a close look at a green bean, you might have noticed it’s a little... fuzzy. That’s right—green beans come with their own natural coat of fine hairs, but these aren’t just for show! These tiny hairs, known as trichomes, serve as a first line of defense against pesky bugs.


So, what’s the deal with green bean hair?

These trichomes are like the plant’s personal security system. They make the bean’s skin feel rough and uncomfortable to insects that might want to munch on them. It’s a bit like the way Velcro catches onto things—it’s not pleasant for bugs to walk across a hairy surface, so they tend to avoid it. Plus, the hairs can even trap small insects, preventing them from reaching the tasty bean beneath.


But do other veggies have this hairy superpower?
You bet! Green beans aren’t the only ones who have a fuzzy force field. Several other vegetables also sport their own versions of trichomes to fend off would-be attackers:


  • Cucumbers: Have you ever felt the roughness of a cucumber’s skin? Those prickly little hairs serve the same purpose, deterring bugs and protecting the plant.

  • Tomatoes: Tomato plants are covered in fine, hairy trichomes that release sticky substances when disturbed. This not only deters bugs but can even trap them, turning the tomato plant into an insect catch-and-release program!

  • Zucchini: Zucchinis also have those tiny prickles along their skin, creating a scratchy surface that bugs would rather not cross.


These trichomes can be found on a variety of plants, not just vegetables, and they work in all sorts of ways—sometimes they’re sharp, sticky, or even covered in chemicals that bugs dislike. For green beans and their veggie cousins, it's nature’s built-in pest control.

facts.png
FACTS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN
gruen-effect.jpg
NATURE

Why Goats See the World Differently

gruen-effect.jpg
HISTORY

Red Flag Empress

gruen-effect.jpg
NATURE

A New Dance in the Skies

gruen-effect.jpg
UNUSUAL INTERESTS OF NOBILITY

The Locksmith King Who Loved Gadgets and Maps

gruen-effect.jpg
SAYINGS

"Goodnight Sleep Tight"

gruen-effect.jpg
INSECTS

Caring for Monarchs

BUY NOW

BUY NOW

ADVERTISEMENT

popular.png
POPULAR NOW
gruen-effect.jpg
FOOD & DRINK

The Cultural Significance of Cocktails

gruen-effect.jpg
HISTORY

The Most Intriguing Lost Treasures

gruen-effect.jpg
FOOD & DRINK

Bubbles & Blockchain

gruen-effect.jpg
MONEY

The Vatican's Unique ATMs

gruen-effect.jpg
LEGENDS

The Knights of Yore

gruen-effect.jpg
INSECTS

Ladybugs' Secret Moves

BUY NOW

BUY NOW

ADVERTISEMENT

bottom of page