Question

Mention a few characteristics of insect-pollinated flowers.

Answer 1

Pollination:

Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers to the stigma of a flower.

Agents of pollination:

1. Pollination can take place with the help of abiotic agents, such as wind and water, and also with the help of biotic agents, such as insects.
2. Biotic agents include various living organisms such as bees, butterflies, rodents, lizards, lemurs, etc.
3. Out of all the biotic agents, insects are the most common biotic agents.
4. Entomophily is the pollination that takes place with the help of insects.

Characteristics of insect-pollinated plants:

1. These flowers are brightly colored to attract insects.
2. The flowers are large, so they can be easily spotted by insects.
3. Small flowers form groups to become more prominent.
4. These flowers will have a characteristic foul odor to attract insects.
5. Nectar is secreted in large amounts to attract insects.
6. Pollen grains are edible in most insect-pollinated flowers.
7. Pollen grains are spiny, heavy, and surrounded by a yellow oily sticky substance called pollenkitt.
8. Some flowers give a safe place for insects to lay eggs.

Examples of insect-pollinated flowers:

Caraway, chestnut, and papaya are pollinated by honeybees, solitary bees, and thrips.