News Life Little animals spread sperm for smelly mosses Sex-specific odors may entice springtails to kick off fertilization By Susan Milius July 20, 2012 at 1:56 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Mosses really may be getting a reproductive boost by luring tiny animals to deliver plant sperm. Tiny springtails (white) preferred the scent of female mosses over males in a new study. Rocky Cookus/Portland State Univ. Male moss plants don’t make pollen, but instead send sperm off to try to swim through dew to find a female moss.