Flowers ‘giving up’ on scarce insects and evolving to self-pollinate, say scientists

Field pansies (Viola arvensis) growing near Paris produced 20% less nectar than those growing there 20 to 30 years ago, the study found. Photograph: Courtesy of Samson Acoca-Pidolle

Flowers are “giving up on” pollinators and evolving to be less attractive to them as insect numbers decline, researchers have said.

A study has found the flowers of field pansies growing near Paris are 10% smaller and produce 20% less nectar than flowers growing in the same fields 20 to 30 years ago. They are also less frequently visited by insects.