I don’t think capsaicin is that much of an insecticide. AFAIK its primary purpose is to deter consumption by mammals since the seeds are more likely to survive if eaten by birds (who are immune to capsaicin).
Of course that makes it extra amusing that we’re specifically after this stuff.
It is truly funny if you take a step back and think about it like an alien would. It’s like when little monkeys that live near humans steal the booze sometimes or intentionally eat fermented fruit because they’re filthy little alcoholics. Fascinating little critters we are
I don’t think capsaicin is that much of an insecticide. AFAIK its primary purpose is to deter consumption by mammals since the seeds are more likely to survive if eaten by birds (who are immune to capsaicin).
Of course that makes it extra amusing that we’re specifically after this stuff.
But, because we like it so much, we cultivate it and protect it, ensuring its continued survival. In a way, the plant has domesticated us.
Similar to dogs and cats.
We domesticated dogs. Cats domesticated us.
Plants: evolves to produce chemical that causes pain from consumption
Humans: evolves to become masochistic
its impressive how much our species loves to evolve in order to ingest more toxins
It is truly funny if you take a step back and think about it like an alien would. It’s like when little monkeys that live near humans steal the booze sometimes or intentionally eat fermented fruit because they’re filthy little alcoholics. Fascinating little critters we are
It’s not just humans, my dogs have always liked pickled jalapeños and a bit of chili