A Unique Pollination Mechanism
A type of Japanese dogsbane, Vincetoxicum nakaianum, releases a scent identical to wounded ants' distress signal, attracting scavenging flies that pollinate it.
Botanist Ko Mochizuki of the University of Tokyo discovered the plant's unusual scent, which is a near-perfect chemical match to the distress signals released by injured ants.
The plant's odor dupes the flies into visiting and inadvertently pollinating the blooms.
- The plant's scent is a morbid perfume, resembling the smell of injured ants.
- Scavenging grass flies are drawn to the plant's flowers due to the scent.
- The trick of mimicking the distress signal of injured ants allows the plant to be pollinated.
Author's summary: A Japanese flower's unique scent attracts pollinators.
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