Infrared radiation is an ancient pollination signal.
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| Title: | Infrared radiation is an ancient pollination signal. |
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| Authors: | Valencia-Montoya, Wendy A. (AUTHOR), Liénard, Marjorie A. (AUTHOR), Rosser, Neil (AUTHOR), Calonje, Michael (AUTHOR), Salzman, Shayla (AUTHOR), Tsai, Cheng-Chia (AUTHOR), Yu, Nanfang (AUTHOR), Carlson, John R. (AUTHOR), Cogni, Rodrigo (AUTHOR), Pierce, Naomi E. (AUTHOR), Bellono, Nicholas W. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Science. 12/11/2025, Vol. 390 Issue 6778, p1164-1170. 7p. |
| Subjects: | Infrared radiation, Pollination, Hypothesis, Insect pollinators, Sensory perception, Infrared heating |
| Abstract: | Color and scent are well-known pollinator cues. Some plants also produce heat, but its role remains unclear. Here, we report that plant-generated thermal infrared radiation serves as a pollination signal and describe the underlying mechanisms of heat production and infrared detection. Mitochondrial adaptations heat plant reproductive structures in a circadian pattern, radiating infrared that is sufficient to attract beetle pollinators. Beetle antennae contain infrared-activated neurons with thermosensitive ion channels that are structurally tuned to match host plant thermogenesis. Comparative analyses revealed that infrared is among the earliest pollination signals, and indicate a deep-time transition from infrared-based to color-dominated signaling in flowering plants. Our findings uncover an ancient sensory modality shaping the early evolution of pollination, one of the world's most vital processes linking plants and animals. Editor's summary: Plants have evolved an astonishing repertoire of signals to lure pollinators. Although color and scent are well-established pollination signals, some plants also produce heat. Valencia-Montoya et al. discovered that plant-produced heat is an early pollination signal and describe the molecular basis of both heat generation in cycads and heat sensing in beetle antennae (see the Perspective by Glover and Webb). By integrating detailed molecular analysis with field documentation of pollination, this study reveals an ancient sensory channel in plant-pollinator communication and contributes to elucidating the early evolution of pollination. —Mattia Maroso [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Color and scent are well-known pollinator cues. Some plants also produce heat, but its role remains unclear. Here, we report that plant-generated thermal infrared radiation serves as a pollination signal and describe the underlying mechanisms of heat production and infrared detection. Mitochondrial adaptations heat plant reproductive structures in a circadian pattern, radiating infrared that is sufficient to attract beetle pollinators. Beetle antennae contain infrared-activated neurons with thermosensitive ion channels that are structurally tuned to match host plant thermogenesis. Comparative analyses revealed that infrared is among the earliest pollination signals, and indicate a deep-time transition from infrared-based to color-dominated signaling in flowering plants. Our findings uncover an ancient sensory modality shaping the early evolution of pollination, one of the world's most vital processes linking plants and animals. Editor's summary: Plants have evolved an astonishing repertoire of signals to lure pollinators. Although color and scent are well-established pollination signals, some plants also produce heat. Valencia-Montoya et al. discovered that plant-produced heat is an early pollination signal and describe the molecular basis of both heat generation in cycads and heat sensing in beetle antennae (see the Perspective by Glover and Webb). By integrating detailed molecular analysis with field documentation of pollination, this study reveals an ancient sensory channel in plant-pollinator communication and contributes to elucidating the early evolution of pollination. —Mattia Maroso [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00368075 |
| DOI: | 10.1126/science.adz1728 |
