How do cycads attract beetles for pollination?

Cycads attract beetles by generating heat from their reproductive cones, which is sensed by the beetles' specialized antennae.

What is unique about cycad pollination according to the study?

The study suggests that cycad pollination using heat and infrared signals might be the oldest form of plant-pollinator communication.

Can beetles see infrared heat from plants like cycads?

Beetles cannot see infrared heat, but their antennae are equipped to sense its thermal signature, guiding them to the cycads.

Home / Science / Ancient Plants Heat Up to Attract Beetles

Ancient Plants Heat Up to Attract Beetles

12 Dec

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Summary

Cycads use heat to attract beetles, an ancient pollination method.
Beetles sense infrared heat from cones using specialized antennae.
This thermal signaling may be the oldest form of plant pollination.

Ancient Plants Heat Up to Attract Beetles

Cycads, a plant lineage dating back 250 million years, utilize a fascinating method to ensure reproduction: they generate heat. These tropical plants, resembling palms, develop cone-like structures that warm up, emitting a glow that attracts beetles. This thermal attraction is crucial for pollination, with evidence suggesting it's a foundational mechanism for plant-insect relationships. The heat not only lures beetles but also guides them through the plant's reproductive cycle.

Researchers discovered that beetles are drawn to the infrared signature of the heat, a signal invisible to humans but detectable by their specialized antennae. Studies on beetle antennae revealed genetic similarities to heat-sensing mechanisms in snakes and mosquitoes. Experiments using 3-D printed cones demonstrated that heat alone, without scent or visual cues, effectively attracts pollinators, highlighting its significance.