The pollination of Habenaria rhodocheila (Orchidaceae) in South China: When butterflies take sides.

ABSTRACT: Habenaria is one of the largest terrestrial genera in the family Orchidaceae. Most field studies on Habenaria species with greenish-white and nocturnal scented flowers are pollinated by nocturnal hawkmoths and settling moths. However, H. rhodocheila presents reddish flowers lacking a detectable scent and fails to fit the moth pollination syndrome. We investigated the pollinators, breeding system, and functional traits of H. rhodocheila in South China and found that two diurnal swallowtail butterflies Papilio helenus and Papilio nephelus (Papilionidae) were the effective pollinators. When butterflies foraged for nectar in the spur, the pollinia became attached between the palpi. A triangular projected median rostellar lobe was found at the entrance

SUBMITTER: Chen XH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7981216 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature