Researchers discovered new plant species that mimics odour of half-eaten ants

Researchers have discovered a species of dogbane in Japan that attracts pollinating flies by mimicking the alarm scent of half-eaten ants.

The species of dogbane is the first plant to boost its chances of reproducing by copying the scent that releases as an alarm call when they come under attack by predators.

A botanist at the University of Tokyo, Ko Mochizuki was of the view that this is the first evidence of ant mimicry in plants and without this particular scent, the plant would not be able to achieve reproductive success.

The initial clues of the plant’s deceptive tactics were discovered when Mochizuki spotted fruit flies gathering around the flowers in the nursery at Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo.

The flies move from one plant to another in search of injured ants and in the process, they do the plant a great favour by helping to pollinate them.

To scrutinize the situation, Mochizuki analyzed chemicals released by the plant and found a blend of volatile compounds including undecane, nonane, and other substances known as 8Ac,10Ac.

He then analyzed the smell released by ants where they were attacked by a jumping spider in a jar.

Mochiszuki said, “When attacked, ants release pheromones to alert their nestmates to danger.”

Mochizuki used a Y-shaped maze to conduct further analysis experiments to see which odours most appealed to the fruit flies.

It has been observed that insects were not attracted to pulverized ants but headed for ants that had been attacked by spiders.

Some insects are known to mimic ant pheromones to gain access to nests and feed on their larvae, and the dogbane is the first known plant to pull off a similar trick for pollination.