Plant Tricks Beetles By Producing Seeds That Look And Smell Like Poop
- 9 years ago
New research has found that a certain type of South African plant appears to trick dung beetles into dispersing its seeds by making them look and smell like the poop the insects rely on for food and nesting.
Even though plants don’t have brains, scientists are discovering that at least some species have developed clever ways to survive.
A new study describes the way in which a certain grassy plant in South Africa produces seeds that mimic animal feces which dung beetles rely on for food and nesting.
Like antelope dung, the one centimeter-long seeds are dark brown and round and also contain many of the same pungent, smell-related compounds.
It is believed that its smell and appearance
Even though plants don’t have brains, scientists are discovering that at least some species have developed clever ways to survive.
A new study describes the way in which a certain grassy plant in South Africa produces seeds that mimic animal feces which dung beetles rely on for food and nesting.
Like antelope dung, the one centimeter-long seeds are dark brown and round and also contain many of the same pungent, smell-related compounds.
It is believed that its smell and appearance