Boronias, known for their showy flowers and strong scent, are a quintessential part of the Australian bush. They have long puzzled botanists due to their closed flowers.
Scientists have now discovered that moths are the mystery pollinators of these strange flowers. This knowledge is crucial to ensuring their long-term survival.
Researchers found that specific moth species, called Heliozelidae, pollinate the boronias. These tiny moths have intricate structures on their abdomens to collect pollen.
The female moths lay eggs inside the flowers. While moving about, they collect pollen and pollinate the flowers. The caterpillars then eat some of the developing seeds.
The moths and the plants have a reciprocal relationship, depending on each other for reproduction. This is unusual in nature.
The new pollinating moths belong to the genus Prophylactis. The moth that pollinates Boronia megastigma is called Prophylactis megastigmallax.
This research highlights how much of Australia's biodiversity is yet to be understood and protected. It also leads to new questions about moth-plant relationships.