Beetle mating rituals key to Banksia populations
A four-year study led by La Trobe University discovered that the candlestick banksia is a rendezvous site for beetles to mate and feed on the flowers en masse at night. It was long thought that birds and mammals such as honeyeaters and honey possums were primarily responsible for the pollination of the candlestick banksia, one of the most common and distinctive trees in suburban Perth. However, observations of the trees along a 150-kilometer stretch of coast north of Perth revealed the animal that most often visited the flowers were scarab beetles, which picked up the unusually gooey pollen on their hairy underside during feeding and mating, helping to transfer it between plants.
- ▪A four-year study led by La Trobe University discovered that the candlestick banksia is a rendezvous site for beetles to mate and feed on the flowers en masse at night.
- ▪It was long thought that birds and mammals such as honeyeaters and honey possums were primarily responsible for the pollination of the candlestick banksia, one of the most common and distinctive trees in suburban Perth.
- ▪However, observations of the trees along a 150-kilometer stretch of coast north of Perth revealed the animal that most often visited the flowers were scarab beetles, which picked up the unusually gooey pollen on their hairy underside during
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June 3, 2026 Beetle mating rituals key to Banksia populations by La Trobe University edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Lisa Lock Scientific Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Andrew Zinin Lead Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: La Trobe University The nocturnal mating rituals of hairy scarab beetles are helping pollinate one of Perth's most common native trees, in a discovery that highlights the unusual adaptations of Australian plants and the unexpected…
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