Ferns and flowers bribe helpful ant defenders with nectar, but ferns developed this ability much later – our study shows why
- Written by Jacob S. Suissa, Assistant Professor of Plant Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee
Ants foraging for nectar on a Bracken fern (_Pteridium aquilinum_).Jacob S. Suissa, CC BY-NDLook closely at a plant in your local park, your garden or even your kitchen, and you’re likely to see some damage. Whether a caterpillar has chewed away part of a leaf or a mealybug is sucking on sap, animals are constantly feeding on plants.
Of...