In the dark and moist understories of the subtropical forests of Shimoshima Island in Japan grow parasitic plants that feed ...

Researchers uncover unique insect-plant relationship: ants and crickets pollinate and disperse Balanophora seeds.

The discovery of a unique case where the same insect species both pollinate a plant and distribute its seeds not only solves ...

The discovery of a unique case where the same insect species both pollinate a plant and distribute its seeds not only solves a long-standing botanical mystery. The find also stresses the diverse roles ...

The discovery of a unique case where the same insect species both pollinate a plant and distribute its seeds not only solves a long-standing botanical ...

After pollination, the flowers of Balanophora subcupularis develop into seeds attached to fleshy leaves, called “bracts.” Camel crickets and ants return to feed on the bracts but also take the seeds ...

A Balanophora subcupularis inflorescence (a cluster of flowers) is visited by a camel cricket seeking the plant’s pollen and nectar. Similar to bee pollination, the cricket unwittingly transfers some ...