Bugs That Pollinate Orchids

Bees

• Orchids attract bees for pollination in a number of ways. Fragrance is a strong attractor for bees and some orchids are so attune to the desire of particular bees that they replicate the scent of female bees to attract the males. Orchids also use deception to attract bees to their flowers. Orchids imitate the color and shape of female bees to attract the males, who are so deceived by the orchid that they try to mate with the flower, becoming unknowing carriers of the flower's pollen.

Moths

• Moth pollinated orchid flowers, such as the Brassavola and Angraecum, are typically white, green or cream in color which mimics the typical color of moths. Moth-attracting orchids are fragrant at night, because moths are nocturnal, or active during the night. The nectar is typically contained in tubular structures within the flower that are designed accommodate the moths' proboscis, or tongue. One moth attracting orchid, Angraecum sesquipedal, can only be pollinated by the sphinx moth which possess a foot long proboscis.

Butterflies

• Butterflies are attracted to brightly colored orchids which offer nectar as an incentive for the butterfly to land on them. Orchids designed to attract butterflies typically have a landing platform on the flower to further entice the butterfly. Species of the Epidendrum family--which are colorful, fragrant, and nectar-bearing--are good examples of butterfly-pollinated orchids. Another orchid, the Disa uniflora, has large red flowers to attract "Mountain Pride butterflies," who are only lured by red flowers.

Flies

• Flies are attracted to orchids as a food source or as a breeding sites, which is why orchids designed to attract flies feature foul odors and dull colored flowers. Because flies typically make for poor pollinators, some orchids have evolved into fly traps, with hidden hinges that drop the flies into a bucket-like base with only one exit. When the fly makes its way out of the trap, the orchid's pollen is attached to the insect. Examples of hinge orchids include those in the Bulbophyllum and Masdevallia genera.