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Beetles pollinated orchids millions of year ago, fossil evidence shows

Beetles pollinated orchids millions of year ago, fossil evidence shows

Close up of a beetle trapped in amber with an arrow drawing attention to pollen on the beetle's mouth

A fossil ptilodactyline beetle found in amber from Mexico. The black arrow points to pollinia attached to the beetle's mouthparts. Photo courtesy of the Entomological Society of America

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.

A new study in American Entomologist by George Poinar, Jr. (Oregon State University) describes beetles found in fossilized amber with orchid pollen in their mouthparts.

Read more on Phys.org