How Heliconiid
pollinators respond to the trichromatic colour changing Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae)
by Gyanpriya Maharaj
and Godfrey R. Bourne
Plants are usually stationary and have a problem getting together for sexual reproduction. Thus, many use a wide range of shapes, colours, and/or odours as signals to bribe animals to move pollen (male sex cells) to stigmas (receptive female surfaces) of similar species of plants. Furthermore, these floral attractants can be either honest or deceptive. In honest attractants, plants offer something of value, usually food rewards, to their go-betweens known as pollinators. Honest signals can involve both vegetative and reproductive parts of flowers.
Heliconius melpomene feeding on nectar and pollen bribes |
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Read the scientific publication in JPE.