Pollination is very important to the survival of plants around the world. When we think of typical pollinators, we see visions of hummingbirds, bats, bees, butterflies, moths and even the wind. As the populations of various pollinators, such as bees, drop for unknown reasons, scientists are becoming more focused on different ways flowers, crops and other plants are being pollinated. 

When researchers directed their night-vision cameras at the endangered orchid Angraecum cadetii, endemic to two islands off the coast of Madagascar, and determined what pollinated the flower; they were not expecting to see a cricket crawl in to feed on the nectar. Crickets are typically known for destroying plants, which is why this new discovery is so surprising. Over the past few years, scientists have also found evidence of cockroaches and lizards carrying pollen from one plant to another.

Although this African raspy cricket looks very similar to our own Jerusalem cricket, the two are unrelated. Raspy crickets are closely related to crickets and katydids and are distinguished by the “raspy” noise that they produce as a defense response.

Caroline Burdick

These pollinating African crickets are just one of the wonderful and amazing adaptations we see in the natural world around us. The fact that new discoveries like this can still be made on this earth can inspire a whole new generation of scientists. It is a wonderful job to be able to bring these discoveries to the minds of today’s students. Take advantage of any opportunity to allow a child to discover the wonder of nature for themselves, so that this generation will grow up with the same sense of awe that keeps us excitedly exploring the forest everyday.

If you would like additional information about this raspy cricket, or other current science news, click here.