Electrostatic pollination by butterflies and moths

Abstract

Electrostatic pollination by butterflies and moths England SJ, Robert D. Electrostatic pollination by butterflies and moths. J R Soc Interface. 2024 Jul;21(216):20240156. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2024.0156. Abstract Animals, most notably insects, generally seem to accumulate electrostatic charge in nature. These electrostatic charges will exert forces on other charges in these animals' environments and therefore have the potential to attract or repel other objects, for example, pollen from flowers. Here, we show that butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) accumulate electrostatic charge while in flight. Then, using finite element analysis, we demonstrate that when within millimetres of a flower, the electrostatic charge of a lepidopteran generates an electric field in excess of 5 kV m-1, and that an electric field of this magnitude is sufficient to elicit contactless pollen transfer from flowers across air gaps onto the body of a butterfly or moth. Furthermore, we see that phylogenetic variations exist in the magnitude and polarity of net charge between different species and families and Lepidoptera. These phylogenetic variations in electrostatic charging correlate with morphological, biogeographical and ecological differences between different clades. Such correlations with biogeographical and ecological differences may reflect evolutionary adaptations towards maximizing or minimizing charge accumulation, in relation to pollination, predation and parasitism, and thus we introduce the idea that electrostatic charging may be a trait upon which evolution can act. Open access paper: royalsocietypublishing.org

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Butterflies and moths were shown to accumulate electrostatic charge while in flight. Finite element analysis indicated that within millimetres of a flower, this charge can generate an electric field exceeding 5 kV m-1, which was sufficient to elicit contactless pollen transfer across air gaps onto the insect body. The magnitude and polarity of net charge varied phylogenetically and correlated with morphological, biogeographical and ecological differences among clades.

Outcomes measured

• Electrostatic charge accumulation during flight
• Electric field magnitude near flowers (finite element analysis)
• Contactless pollen transfer across air gaps onto insect body
• Phylogenetic variation in magnitude and polarity of net charge
• Correlations of charging variation with morphological, biogeographical and ecological differences

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "natural electrostatic charge/electric fields from insects in flight",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Electrostatic charge accumulation during flight",
        "Electric field magnitude near flowers (finite element analysis)",
        "Contactless pollen transfer across air gaps onto insect body",
        "Phylogenetic variation in magnitude and polarity of net charge",
        "Correlations of charging variation with morphological, biogeographical and ecological differences"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Butterflies and moths were shown to accumulate electrostatic charge while in flight. Finite element analysis indicated that within millimetres of a flower, this charge can generate an electric field exceeding 5 kV m-1, which was sufficient to elicit contactless pollen transfer across air gaps onto the insect body. The magnitude and polarity of net charge varied phylogenetically and correlated with morphological, biogeographical and ecological differences among clades.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electrostatic charge",
        "electric field",
        "pollination",
        "butterflies",
        "moths",
        "Lepidoptera",
        "pollen transfer",
        "finite element analysis",
        "phylogenetic variation"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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