Anthecological relations between reputedly anemophilous flowers and syrphid flies. I. The possible role of syrphid flies as pollinators of Plantago
Year: 1976
Type: article
Abstract: Regular visits by syrphid flies of the genera Melanostoma and Platycheirus to the inflorescences of the reputedly anemophilous Plantago lanceolata L. for the purpose of pollen consumption have often been reported.An effective pollen transfer could be established in the present study.Observations made in the field indicated that the flies feed on Plantago laceolata pollen in the early morning.Several aspects of their behaviour already suggest them to be effective pollen vectors.By means of Scanning Electron Microscope observations the presence of pollen grains of P. lanceolata on the body of the flies could be demonstrated.Experiments in which artificially dyed pollen of P. lanceolata was deposited on inflorescences in anthesis, while the stained pollen was subsequently recovered from the stigmas of other spikes, demonstrate that they are efficient pollinators of this plant.The amount of pollen transferred was estimated and, at least in certain habitats, is thought to be responsible for a considerable part of the geitonogamous and heterogamous pollinations.The technique employed may prove to be useful for the study of comparable cases in plants and animals.Stelleman, P and Meeuse, A D J. 1976."Anthecological relations between reputedly anemophilous flowers and syrphid flies.I.The possible role of syrphid flies as pollinators of Plantago."Tijdschrift voor entomologie 119, 15-31.
Authors: Stelleman, P, Meeuse, A D J
Language: English
Topic: Plant and animal studies
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2936660310