mothpollinated

Mothpollinated is a term used in plant reproductive ecology to describe plant species whose flowers are adapted to pollination by moths, especially nocturnal hawk moths (Sphingidae). It is part of the broader concept of pollination syndromes, where flower traits reflect the sensory and foraging behaviors of their primary pollinators.

Typical moth-pollination traits include flowers that bloom at night or twilight, often white or pale to be visible in low light, and a strong, sweet or fruity fragrance released in the evening. Many moth-pollinated flowers offer a substantial nectar reward and possess tubular or long, narrow corolla tubes that accommodate a moth’s long proboscis. The blossoms are often robust to withstand nighttime visitation.

Moths locate these flowers primarily by scent, as visual cues are less effective in the dark. Pollination can involve specialized relationships—such as Yucca plants with yucca moths Tegeticula—or more generalized nocturnal pollinators. Some moth-pollinated species may be visited by multiple moth species or other nocturnal insects.

Common examples include Datura stramonium (jimson weed), Nicotiana alata (flowering tobacco), Cestrum nocturnum (night-blooming jasmine), and Angraecum sesquipedale, an orchid famous for its long nectar spur pollinated by the hawk moth Xanthopan morganii praedicta. In temperate regions, evening primroses (Oenothera species) and other nocturnal bloomers are frequently moth-pollinated.

Ecological significance of moth pollination includes supporting nocturnal plant reproduction, shaping plant distribution, and contributing to genetic diversity through moth-mediated pollen transfer. It highlights distinct plant-pollinator interactions driven by nighttime foraging.