Symbiotic alliance: Fungi-eating plants and flies collaborate for reproduction

Fungi-eating orchids, specifically Gastrodia foetida, have been found to engage in nursery pollination with fungi-eating fruit flies. The orchids emit a mushroom-like smell to attract the flies, which then get trapped in the flowers and carry pollen to other plants. After successful pollination, the flowers decay, providing a breeding ground for the fruit fly larvae. This unique plant-animal relationship suggests an evolutionary transition towards mutualistic symbiosis and provides new insights into the complex interactions between plants and animals.