Theme
11:43am May 21, 2013

ichthyologist:

The Complex Structure of Bucket Orchids

Orchids of the genus Coryanthes have evolved along with orchid bees, and depend on each other for reproduction.

Male bees are attracted to an pheromone laced wax produced under the orchid’s helmet. The wax is stored by the male and are used in courtship. However, the helmet is slippery and bees sometimes fall into the fluid filled bucket below.

Once in the bucket, their wings are wet, which prevent them from flying. The walls of the bucket are smooth and lined with downward pointing hairs, preventing the insect from escaping through climbing. A small opening towards the front of the flower is the only way out.

As the bee climbs through the narrow opening, they must press their bodies against sticky pollen packets. These are essentially glued to the bee’s body as it tries to escape. In order for fertilisation to happen, the pollen from one plant must be transferred to the stigma of another plant.

After the bee flies off and visits another flower, it goes through a similar ordeal. This time, as it exits the bucket, the pollen packet on its back brushes past the stigma of the new flower, thus achieving pollination.

dwittkower, dogtooth77, Alex Popovkin on Flickr

Notes:
  1. dswartz2 reblogged this from ichthyologist
  2. mybelobru reblogged this from nybg
  3. sparkletangerine reblogged this from ichthyologist
  4. egolastic reblogged this from realmonstrosities
  5. bumblingb reblogged this from realmonstrosities
  6. hahales reblogged this from realmonstrosities and added:
    Love orchids
  7. biosphericentropy reblogged this from realmonstrosities
  8. thealamoooo reblogged this from realmonstrosities
  9. pyranova reblogged this from realmonstrosities and added:
    I don’t remember reblogging this, but the heart’s already lit up.
  10. wojojojo reblogged this from ichthyologist
  11. mudshark58 reblogged this from realmonstrosities
  12. laxlovestoeat reblogged this from realmonstrosities
  13. gottalovethemplushrumps reblogged this from jumpingjacktrash
  14. miharuhasegawa224 reblogged this from jumpingjacktrash
  15. live-die-be reblogged this from thatisludicrous
  16. kitieskye reblogged this from realmonstrosities
  17. pavlovs-pigeon reblogged this from jumpingjacktrash
  18. realityhelix reblogged this from realmonstrosities
  19. vivalarebel reblogged this from rockpapertheodore
  20. goldynbear reblogged this from realmonstrosities