Pat Shingleton for Nov. 9
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Expect maple tree leaves to turn red soon. Botanists have discovered that the red of the leaf may be a sunscreen or a death threat for hungry insects. As noted in a previous Weather News, “World News Tonight” reported that in autumn, leaves break down to prepare for winter.
When leaves lose their green, scientists believe it’s a dangerous time for leaves to be exposed to sunlight. Leaf cells are very fragile and when photons from the sun hit the leaves they are absorbed by the red. Experiments in Wisconsin have found that the leaf is protected because it is red and keeps producing food into November. Some trees also make poisons that kill aphids and the red leaf deters the insects.
Fastcast: Occasional rain.
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