The Yellow monkey flower, Mimulus guttatus, are pollinated by different species of bumblebees in different geographical regions. These flowers provide a large amount of pollen but very little nectar as reward to the insect visitors. A closer investigation of the flowers reveals the presence of touch sensitive stigma that limits the amount of pollen transferred from the insect visitor. The stigma reopens if there is insufficient transfer of pollen. Studies on the floral morphology indicate the presence of small hairs on the keel petal of the corolla. As the flower wilts, the stigma droops down and comes in contact with these hairs. This study tests the hypothesis that the hairs on the keel petal serve as pollen traps (Pollen Collecting Hairs). As the insects brush on the hairs while landing some pollen is captured which is then transferred to the stigma as the flower droops. The insect uses the keel petal of the corolla as a landing platform while the flower gathers additional pollen to aid in efficient cross-pollination. This study provides evidence on the importance of evolution of floral characters to facilitate insect landing and improve pollination efficiency.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Apidae Bombus (bumble bee)
Keywords: pollination, evolution
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