Process of pollination. A long-horned bee Eucera longicornis attempts to mate with an Ophrys scolo- pax orchid. The orchid flower imitates in shape,colour and smell,the female long-horned bee. Male bees are sexually attracted to the flower & mount it. In the process of bee movements,the head of Eucera brushes against pollen bearing "pollinaria" of the flower & these are released onto the bee's head. The bee then carries these yellow pollen structures to another orchid plant and acts as pollinator. Orchid-bee attraction occurs at a time when female Eucera bees are not yet born,and the male has no choice but to visit the Ophrys orchid | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Nuridsany, Claude / Perennou, Maria |
Taille de l’image : | 3716 px × 5588 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : |
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