Pollination by Deception

A male thynnine WAsP (Neozeleboria cryptoides) attempts to mate with the flower of a broad lipped bird Orchid (Chiloglottis trapeziformis). Photo by Rod Peakall. A male thynnine WAsP (Neozeleboria cryptoides) attempts to mate with an Orchid flower (Chiloglottis trapeziformis). Photo Rod Peakall. Pollinator are attracted two plants that appear to provide a reward. Most often, the Pollinator does receive a reward, such as food or shelter for the growing young. But looks (and Scents) can be Deceiving. Some plants attract Pollinator with deceptive cues such that pollination is achieved for the plant but the Pollinator gets nothing in return. Well-known examples of pollination by deception involve Orchid and the Wasp and other insects that pollinate them. Some Orchid flowers attract male insects by mimicking the odore and appearance of female insects. Males attempt to mate with one flower, and then another, transferring pollen among flowers in the process. Though some Orchid flowers closely resemble the appearance of females of the primary pollinating species, odore may be the most important cue. In at least some cases, the odore compound emitted by the Orchid is identical to the female sex pheromone emitted by the Pollinator species (Reference: pollination by Sexual Deception in Australian Terrestrial Orchid, Rod Peakall, Australian National University, 2007). Other Orchid Mimic the Pollinator 'food plants. For example, the southern African Orchid Disperis capensis produces flowers that closely resemble those of another plant, Polygala bracteolata. Bees pollinating P. bracteolata (which does provide a food reward) inadvertently pollinate the look-alike as well. What appears to be another twist Wednesday pollination by deception was documented recently. Malaysian dung Beetles of the genus Onthophagus (Family: Scarabaeidae) are the major Pollinator of Orchidantha inouei, a plant related to ginger, bananas, and bird-of-paradise plants. The flowers of O. inouei appear to attract the Beetles by emitting a dung-like (ie food) odore, but do not provide any food reward or protected space for the Beetle. Pollination of Deception A male thynnine wasp (Neozeleboria cryptoides) attempt to mate with the flower of a broad lipped bird orchid (Chiloglottis trapeziformis). Photo by Rod Peakall. A male thynnine wasp (Neozeleboria cryptoides) attempt to mate with an orchid flower (Chiloglottis trapeziformis). Photo Rod Peakall. Pollinators are attracted to plants that seem to offer a reward. Usually, the pollinator not receive a reward, such as food or shelter for the cultivation of young people. But look (and odors) can be deceiving. Some plants attract pollinators with misleading cues such that pollination is achieved for the plant, but the pollinator gets nothing in return. Well-known examples of pollination by deception involving orchids and wasps and other insects that pollinate them. Some orchid flowers attract male insects by mimicking the smell and appearance of female insects. Males try to mate with a flower, and then another, the transfer of pollen among flowers in the process. Although some orchid flowers closely resemble the presence of females of the primary pollinating species, odors may be the main headline. At least in some cases, the odor compound emitted by the orchid is identical to the female sex pheromone emitted by pollinator species (Reference: pollination by sexual Deception in Australian Terrestrial Orchids, Rod Peakall, Australian National University, 2007). Other orchids mimic the pollinators' food plants. For example, the South African orchid Disperis capensis produces flowers that closely resemble those of another plant, Polygala bracteolata. Bees pollinating P. bracteolata (giving a food reward) inadvertently pollinate the look-alike as well. What seems to be another twist on pollination by deception was proved recently. Malaysian fertilizer beetles of the genus Onthophagus (Family: Scarabaeidae) is the most important pollinators of Orchidantha inouei, a plant related to ginger, bananas, and bird-of-paradise plants. The flowers of O. inouei seem to attract the beetles, which emits a dung-like (ie food) smell, but do not provide any food reward or protected space for the beetle. from www.nbii.gov