
Insects leave tiny traces of DNA on the flowers they visit
Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Scientists have developed new tools for identifying the tiny traces of DNA on flower petals left behind by insect visitors. By analyzing DNA signatures on flower petals, scientists can more easily track the movement and feeding patterns of vulnerable pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as identify novel plant-insect relationships. Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is the mix of genetic material left behind by organisms. Previously, scientists have analyzed eDNA from ocean samples to characterize biological diversity in different marine ecosystems. Because a single meadow or field can host hundreds of insect species that visit hundreds of different plant species, tracking biological activity can prove difficult. The latests DNA analysis techniques "I have worked with ...