Back to the past for pollination biology

Manipulations of the interactions between plants and their floral visitors remain the most successful path to an understanding of floral traits, which may have been shaped by both herbivores and pollinators. By using genetic tools in combination with old-fashioned field work the dual protective/advertisement functions of floral traits are being realized. The distinction between wanted and unwanted floral visitors is blurring, and plants with specialized pollination systems are being found capable of using alternative pollinators if the specialized pollinators fail to perform.

► Manipulations remain most successful path to an understanding of floral traits.
► Genetic tools and old-fashioned field work reveal functions of floral advertisements.
► Distinction between wanted and unwanted floral visitors is blurring.
► Specialized plants use alternative pollinators if main pollinators fail to perform.
► Both herbivores and pollinators shape floral traits.