Current Events

Surprise Visitor
February 3, 2010
web
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20100203/Note2.asp

Scientist study pollination on the island of Réunion which is located near southern Africa ( Island belongs to France). One night scientist were looking at a Orchid flower though night vision camera's, when they suddenly noticed a cricket on it. Scientists quickly realized they've never seen such a cricket and new it was a new specie. But this isn't all this cricket was carrying pollen for plant to plant. This was quite surprising since they've never seen a cricket carrying pollen. Usually when a plant or flower mate wind or insects carry the pollen from the male to the female part of the plant but this was different. This wasn't a coincidence another group of scientists were studying a type of Orchids called Angraecum cadetii when they saw the same specie of crickets carrying pollen. Scientists conclude this cricket was made for the Orchid.


This relates to our studies in school, because this is an example of mutualism were both species benefit. The orchid gets to reproduce while the cricket can snack on the orchids pollen. We studied this in school that's why I think this would be a very good example.

I chose this article because it still relates to our school work. Just the title was very appealing and made me what to learn it. From this I learned that we know a lot but that we can still learn a lot and discover new species. I really enjoyed how this article was written, and I also enjoyed reading it because it was interesting but it gave a lot of information.