Question

Choose the correct statements:

• A. The Mediterranean orchid employs ‘sexual deceit’ to get pollination done by a species of bee.
• B. One petal of its flower bears a strange resemblance to the male bee in size, color and markings.
• C. The female bee is attracted to what it perceives as a male.
• D. The female bee pseudocopulates with the orchid

Answer 1

The correct option is A

The Mediterranean orchid employs ‘sexual deceit’ to get pollination done by a species of bee.

The Mediterranean orchid employs ‘sexual deceit’ to get pollination done by a species of bee, but one petal of it's flower bears a strange resemblance to the female bee in size, color and markings rather than the male bee. This attracts the male bee, that psuedocopulates with the flower and in the process carries of the pollen grains from the flower. They then deposit these pollen grains, when they psuedocopulate with another mediterranean orchid that once again fools the bee.