Floral Volatiles and Pollinator Interactions
Summary
Floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are complex blends of low-molecular-weight chemicals emitted by flowers to signal reward presence and guide pollinator behaviour. These semiochemicals encompass terpenoids, benzenoids and fatty acid derivatives, each varying in composition and emission rate across species, developmental stages and environmental conditions. By interacting with the olfactory receptors of insects, birds and other pollinators, floral volatiles mediate attraction, constancy and specificity, underpinning both generalist and specialist pollination syndromes. Beyond simple attraction, volatile emissions can influence pollinator learning, foraging efficiency and community assembly, while environmental factors such as temperature, moisture and atmospheric composition modulate both qualitative and quantitative scent profiles. This dynamic interface between plant metabolic pathways and pollinator sensory ecology has far-reaching implications for biodiversity, ecosystem service maintenance and agricultural productivity in the face of global change.
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Floral Volatiles and Pollinator Interactions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in floral volatiles and pollinator interactions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Low-molecular-weight molecules emitted by flowers that serve as olfactory signals to pollinators and other organisms.
Pollination syndrome: A suite of floral traits, including colour, morphology and scent, evolved to attract specific pollinator groups.
Phenotypic selection: Differential reproductive success that favours individuals with particular traits, such as altered volatile profiles.
Electroantennography: A technique measuring the electrical response of insect antennae to volatile compounds, used to assess olfactory sensitivity.
References
- Natural selection on floral volatiles and other traits can change with snowmelt timing and summer precipitation. New Phytologist (2024).
- Deciphering the Biotic and Climatic Factors That Influence Floral Scents: A Systematic Review of Floral Volatile Emissions. Frontiers in Plant Science (2020).
- Flower Volatiles, Crop Varieties and Bee Responses. PLOS ONE (2013).
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