First Documented Case of Plant Smelling like an Ant to Attract Pollinators
In a Tokyo greenhouse, researcher Ko Mochizuki observed an unusual phenomenon. Flies swarmed around the delicate flowers of the Vincetoxicum nakaianum plant species, despite the absence of nectar or bright colors.
The blooms released a chemical signal that mimicked the scent of an injured ant, a potential meal for the flies. This deception strategy, unique to the Vincetoxicum nakaianum plant, tricks pollinators into visiting its flowers.
The plant has evolved to release a chemical signal that smells like something the flies craved: the scent of an injured ant about to become a meal.
This discovery marks the first documented case of a plant mimicking the smell of ants under attack to attract pollinators.
Author's summary: Plant mimics ant scent to attract pollinators.
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