Question

Diptera flies are trapped for pollination by the flowers of

• A. Rafflesia
• B. Alocasia
• C. Colocasia
• D. Aristolochia

Answer 1

The correct option is D Aristolochia

Fly trap mechanism is a method of pollination in insect pollinated i.e. entomophilous flowers. Such plants secrete some chemicals to attract insects which aid in pollination. For example, Aristolochia. In Aristolochia, stigma receptivity is lost before the anther dehisces. So, it has developed a mechanism to get pollinated by the diptera flies. At the time of anther dehiscence, this plants secrete chemicals to attract the diptera flies. The flowers of Aristolochia consists of a long perianth tube containing many hairs that point downwards. Such hairs are called deflexed hairs and aid in the entry of the flies in the tube through which it reaches the base of the flower. The anthers dehisce and pollen are laden on the back of the insect. The deflexed hair shed or wither off and the fly can exit the flower. When it enters another flower, pollination occurs.

So, the correct answer is 'Aristolochia'.