Moth pollinator
The
visual stimulus such as colour and shape of the flower are important for
attracting the pollinators but fragrance is another dominant trait in the
flower that attract the pollinators. Some orchid species use fragrance along
with size, colour and arrangement for effective attraction of pollinators. The
orchids use this stimulus for attracting the pollinators such as bees, moths
and butterflies (Dobson et al., 1969). The flower that attract the moth or
butterflies have narrow spur and nectar that can be accessed by the long coiled
proboscis. The pollinators are also found to visit orchids that are bright
pink, red or yellow and purple colour (Mchatton, 2011). Calanthe plantaginea is purplish to pink in color with yellow spot
on the labellum. Other features such as long spur and scent production was
observed which might have attracted the hawk moth, carpenter bee and other
butterfly species to C. plantaginea.
Hawk moths belongs
to family Sphingidae and also commonly known as sphinx moths. The hawk moth
ranges from small to medium size, stout body, antennae thick and pointed hook
at tips. Fast flight, fore wing ranging from 20 to 60 mm, hind wings are
shorter. Wings at rest resemble the arrow shaped head, wings can be
transparent, silvery, white and dark brown with markings. Abdomen can be
tapering at end or blunt, colour of abdomen will vary from green, yellowish,
brown with dark colour bands. The colour pattern in hawk moths are vibrant and
vary in individual species (Matyot, 2005). Hawk moth are known for their quick
flight and long proboscis, it is really difficult to capture a good photograph
of this moth during its visit to orchid. Therefore, drawing was the only means
to get the perception on how the pollinators look like while visiting the
orchids.
Dodson,
C. H., Dressler, R. L., Hills, H. G., Adams, R. M., & Williams, N. H.
(1969). Biologically active compounds in orchid fragances. Science, 164, 1243-1249.
Matyot,
P. (2005). The hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) of Seychelles: identification,
historical background, distribution, food plants and ecological considerations.
Phelsuma, 13, 55-80.
Mchatton,
R. (2011). Orchid Pollination: Exploring a Fascinating World. Orchid Pollination Ecology, 80(6), 340-349.
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