IB 103 Pollination

Bees

flowers generally brightly colored, mostly blue or yellow

often have zygomorphic (bilateral) corollas with landing platforms and distinctive markings on petals

nectar guides only visible in UV lights

Carrion beetles and flies

odor is strong and smells like rotting organic materials

color is pale or dark red/purple

violates reward principle

Butterflies

often have fresh, slightly sweet smell

color sometimes red, often blue, yellow, or orange

nectary at base of corolla tube with landing platform and epipetalous stamen

Moths

strong, heavy sweet smell

white and night-blooming flowers

very deep corolla tubes are common

Orchid pollinia

have pollinators among all types mentioned, with extraordinary adaptations

pollen grains produced in sacs called pollinia with sticky pads at base that are incredibly species specific

may have one-to-one associations with orchid bees and wasps

Birds

often bright (Ferrari) red or yellow

little if any odor

large and sturdy inflorescence

copious amounts of nectar

long floral tubes with inferior ovaries

Mammals

open at night when nocturnal animals are foraging

dull in color

large and sturdy, or sometimes grouped in ball-like inflorescences containing large numbers

Wind

reduced unisexual flowers hanging in clusters or catkins

anthers exserted and stigmas large, sometimes feathery

don’t follow 4 rules

4 principles of pollination

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