Beetles pollinated orchids millions of year ago, fossil evidence shows
Monday, August 22, 2016 - 18:01
in Paleontology & Archaeology
This is a fossil ptilodactyline beetle found in amber from Mexico. The black arrow points to pollinia attached to the beetle's mouthparts. When most people hear the word "pollinator," they think of bees and butterflies. However, certain beetles are known to pollinate plants as well, and new fossil evidence indicates that they were doing so 20 million years ago.