Could moths be important pollinators in New Zealand’s subantarctic islands?

The flowers on offshore islands are typically small and white and rely on wind pollination.  However, in subantarctic New Zealand many flowers are large and colourful and seem to rely on insects as pollinators.  With no bees or butterflies present on the islands, it’s been proposed that flies and moths may be important insect pollinators in the region.  

This study, a collaboration between scientists at Plant & Food Research, Otago University, Manaaki Whenua and The Otago Museum looked at pollination by moths on Enderby Island (part of the Auckland Island Archipelago) and found that one abundant moth species, Graphania erebia, may be an important pollinator for four plant species (Bulbinella rossii, Dracophyllum longifolium, Gentianella concinna and Acaena minor). 

With pollinators in decline globally, along with the plants they pollinate, conservation and restoration programmes require a detailed understanding of the reproductive biology of plants. Until now, there has been little data on the reproductive strategies of plants in this region and, additionally, nocturnal pollination is often overlooked. This study will help provide a more detailed understanding of the role of moths as pollinators in subantarctic New Zealand.   

Journal Reference:Buxton M, Anderson B, Hoare R, Lord J 2019 Are moths the missing pollinators in Subantarctic New Zealand? Polar Research. Vol 38 https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v38.3545