Possible
the most remarkable form of mimicry in the plant kingdom is that found in the
genus Ophrys, the bee orchids. . The flowers of these orchids have evolved to
mimic the appearance of a bee or wasp and the plants use three means to fool
insects. First, the lower petal, known as the labellum, bears a remarkable
resemblance to a bee in size, shape and coloration, Second, the flower does not
stop at just using visual signals to attract insects; it also use tactile
stimuli, with the presence of hairs on the sides of the labellum. Third, the
flower has evolved to produce fragrances that mimic sex specific pheromones for
particular species of bee or wasp. Thus, there are a lot of different shapes of
flowers to attract different insects.
The flowers
attract the insects using visual, tactile and olfactory stimuli. The plant fools the male bees or wasp into believing the flower
is a female. The male then try to copulate with the flower which involves the
insect brushing against the pollinia of the flower. So, the frustrated insect
visits other flowers and the pollen is transferred.
Look that video which show more details about these wonderful plants!
Reference
Scott, P. 2008, Physiology and Behaviour of plants, 1st edn, Wiley: USA
Video viewed 11 May 2014:
You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h8I3cqpgnA
That is indeed very awesome! I find it amazing that these plants can mimic not only the visual aspect of the pollinator, but also its chemical signal! Do you know the chemical constituents that make up the pheromone-like signal? Do a number of different species mimic one type of pollinator, or are there lots of different pollinator models? Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteYes, that is awsome! Each orchid species has his specific pollinator, so there lots of different pollinator models. As each species has his own pollinator so ach one release different compounds. For example, spider orchid (Ophrys sphegodes) release C21-29 alkanes and alkenes and Octadecanal, that are prepollination, to attract. Also, they release Trans-farnesy hexanoate as a postpollination to avoid be pollinated twice.
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting how the flowers are able to bees and wasps! I found it intriguing that they can specifically mimic females insects in order to get male bees to brush up against them and pollinate them.
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