The Forgotten Pollinators: How Beetles Shape Our World

Recent research reveals beetles as Earth's oldest and most numerous pollinators, responsible for pollinating nearly 90% of ancient flowering plant species. While honeybees receive most attention, beetles have been pollinating plants since the time of the dinosaurs, using a primitive but effective "mess and soil pollination" method that predates bees by over 150 million years. With over 400,000 species representing about 25% of all known animal life forms, beetles contribute to approximately 12% of global food production (valued at $34 billion annually), yet receive less than 0.5% of pollinator conservation funding. Unlike bee-pollinated flowers, beetle-pollinated plants often emit strong fermented fragrances and feature robust structures to withstand beetles' feeding behaviors. Some plants even generate heat to attract beetles. Despite their ecological and economic importance in crops like cacao, durian, and palm oil, beetles face threats from climate change, habitat fragmentation, and pesticide use, with far less public awareness than their bee counterparts.

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