Plant that mimics odour of half-eaten ants to attract pollinators discovered

Botanist says new Japanese species of dogbane is first evidence of plants copying ants

It's a stark demonstration of nature at its most devious: researchers have discovered a plant that attracts pollinating flies by mimicking the odour of half-eaten ants.

The species of dogbane is the first plant known to boost its chances of reproducing by copying the scent that ants release as an alarm call to their nestmates when they come under attack by spiders and other predators.