Paphiopedilum armeniacum

An Insects View


        

armeniacum
To the flying insect out searching for food or a place to lay eggs this must stand out against the background for quite a distance  

moquettianum
As it gets closer it sees an array of hairs above the staminode that would make landing there a problem, but there is a welcoming set of landing lights in a U shape on the front of the staminode. Of course, it does not yet know that the surface is hard and slippery, and slopes back to allow the insect to drop into the slippery funnel below opening into the pouch.  

moquettianum
Had the insect done a reconnaisance fly by it would have seen why the protective hairs were above the staminode. Just below them and above the stigmatic surface are the pollinia. To be allowed entry there would create the possibility of self fertilizing the flower.  

moquettianum
Once down in the pouch. there is a very nice array of emergency directions--rows of bright red spots--- leading to the "Exit" at the back of the pouch and up, where there is a ladder of hairs that can provide a grip in the otherwise "slippery" and steep sided pouch (note that the ladder hairs, upon close inspection, can be seen to be aligned to encourage moving ever more toward the desired "exit") . Flying out proves impossible, with the narrow opening working wings will not fit through, and the inrolled lip just knocks it back. Climbing up the hair ladder, its back first passes the stigmatic surface, where, had it been hapless enough to have fallen in another armeniacum flower before, it may deposit that flower's pollinia. Next it has to squeeze past the pollinia, being forced back against it by the hairs at the exit. The intrepid insect, having found nothing of interest in the welcoming bright yellow flower may just happen to try the next yellow flower, ever hopeful in finding some kind of reward.....and inadvertantly create, through its accidental pollination, the start of the next generation of Paph armeniacum.  

Bob & Lynn Wellenstein
AnTec Laboratory
PO Box 65
Candor, NY 13743 USA
607 659-3330
http://ladyslipper.com
Copyright 2003 AnTec Laboratory
May be reproduced by nonprofit organizations if presented in its entirety.

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