ABSTRACT
Ren (1998) and Labandeira (1998b) discussed the time of origin and the insect-angiophyte taxa possibly involved in the initial appearance/development of insect pollination. Using Chinese data they ascribed a Tithonian, Late Jurassic age to the beds yielding ies with the appropriate mouthparts, but the beds have now been more reliably radiometrically dated as Early Cretaceous (Luo, 1999; Swisher et al., 1999). It is clear that the precise age and identity of the angiophyte groups involved are still uncertain. Labandeira (2000) reviewed the pollination story and, using biogeographic evidence from the present, concluded that the involvement of beetles with pre-Cretaceous conifers and also with cycads
suggest that the pollination relationship with beetles at least is a pre-Cretaceous phenomenon. Norstog and Nicholls (1997; Norstog et al., 1995) reviewed the relationship between beetle pollination, curculionids, and cycad pollination. Delevoryas (1968) and Crepet (1974) provided evidence from the fossil record that cycads in the Cretaceous were subject to boring and chewing, presumably by insects.
