Researchers claimed that hornets are primary pollinators of two flower species.

Ko Mochizuki from the University of Tokyo said hornets are the primary pollinators of Angelica decursiva and Angelica hakonensis, contrary to the conventional belief that Angelica species are pollinated by a variety of insects.

The study, published in the journal Ecology, sheds light on the unique pollination mechanism of these two Angelica species.

Typically, plants in the carrot family, Apiaceae, are considered generalists, attracting a diverse range of insects to their flowers. However, Mochizuki's observations in Nagano Prefecture and the Nikko Botanical Garden challenged this notion, prompting further investigation.

Through meticulous observation and experimentation, Mochizuki said he found that hornets were the predominant visitors to the flowers of A. decursiva and A. hakonensis.

Even when hornets were excluded from the flowers, seed production remained unexpectedly high, suggesting the complex dynamics of pollination in these species.