beetle fossil evidence
Beetles pollinated orchids millions of year ago, fossil evidence shows When most people hear the word âpollinator,â 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. This is a fossil ptilodactyline beetle found in amber from Mexico. The black arrow points to pollinia attached to the beetle's mouthparts. CREDIT Entomological Society of America
Certain beetles are known to pollinate plants. New fossil evidence from Mexican and Dominican fossilized amber indicates that they were doing so 20 million years ago (Miocene epoch), according to Oregon State University scientist George Poinar, Jr.