Researchers Soma Chiyoda, Ko Mochizuki, and Atsushi Kawakita from the University of Tokyo have discovered that nocturnal hawkmoths are the main pollinators of Jasminanthes mucronata , a plant species native to Japan that produces black nectar. This is the first time that a colored-nectar flower is confirmed to be mainly pollinated by nocturnal insects. The discovery thus promotes further research into this so far unexplored ecology. The findings were published in the journal Ecology .
In ancient Greek mythology, nectar was the drink of the gods, the key to their immortality. Real-life nectar might not confer immortality to its consumers, but it certainly helps many a creature stay alive by providing them with rich nutrition. The creatures feeding on these plants then unwittingly carry their pollen across the landscape. To draw a map of this complex web of co-existence, we must discern species interact with one another. As nectar is generally transparent, flowers that produce colored nectar have garnered particular attention in the research community. However, due to the visual nature of colored nectar, researchers have focused mostly on daytime animals as potential pollinators.
“I have always liked moths,” says Chiyoda, the first author, “and I have been especially interested in their little-known ecology, as many species are active at night. When I learned about the white, fragrant flowers of J. mucronata , I immediately thought this species seemed perfectly suited to attract moths. However, I needed to test the hypothesis.”
Chiyoda and his colleagues conducted a total of 75 hours of direct observations of floral visitors, both during the day and at night, at multiple sites in southern Japan. Although they could frequently observe hawkmoths visiting the flowers, they needed to collect them to determine whether the insects actually carried pollen from the flowers. Initial attempts using insect nets failed as hawkmoths proved to be too adept fliers.
“After repeated unsuccessful attempts,” Chiyoda remembers, “we finally captured a hawkmoth using light trapping. It was carrying pollen on its proboscis, an elongated mouthpart. We shared the success of this first of a kind experience in the mountains under the night sky.”
The study found several moth species pollinating J. mucronata and is the first to highlight the potential importance of colored nectar in nocturnal pollination systems. The results suggest that remarkable pollination biology may still be waiting to be discovered, even in familiar plants, hidden in the dark of night. Speaking of which… J. mucronata has not revealed all its secrets, either.
“This study did not clarify why the plant produces black nectar. In the future, we aim to use J. mucronata as a model to explore the adaptive role of colored nectar at night. This may help deepen our understanding of how colored nectar evolved, a topic that has previously been discussed mainly in relation to daytime pollinators,” says Chiyoda looking to the future.
Ecology
Observational study
Not applicable
Black juice in the dark: pollination of dark-nectared Jasminanthes mucronata (Apocynaceae) by nocturnal hawkmoths
3-Apr-2026