English | English The mechanism for pollination of the orchid genus Ophrys is based on female mimicry by the flower. Hymenopteran males are attracted to the flower, which mimics signals that release mating behaviour (olfactory, optical and tactical) and the males attempt to copulate with the flower (pseudocopulation) In the process the pollinia become attached to the male or the pollen packet is transferred from the male tp the stigma. The attraction of the males is highly specific and each Ophrys species generally has only one pollinator species. The pollinator thus serves as a premating isolating mechanism for these orchids through which bastardization is generally prevented. |