Thrips with Pollen (IMAGE) University of Utah Caption Electron microscope image of an adult insect Cycadothrips chadwicki -- known as a thrips (the word is singular and plural) -- after it emerged from the male cone of a cycad plant covered with bits of pollen. A University of Utah study found that certain primitive cycad plants in Australia heat themselves up and emit odors to drive pollen-covered thrips out of male cycad cones, where the thrips eat pollen. The plants then use a milder odor to attract the thrips. Some of the insects mistakenly enter female plants and pollinate them. Credit Desley Tree, Queensland (Australia) Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.