abstract
Pollination is one of the most fascinating aspects of interaction between plants and insects. The extent of interdependence is regulated by phenology, floral characters as well as by form, structure and behaviour of the pollinators. During evolution flowers have developed various strategies for attracting insects. p ]We have studied the biology of pollination inLantana camara, a pernicious weed. The colour variant used in this study bears yellow flowers at anthesis which subsequently change to orange, scarlet and magenta. Lantana is self-compatible but needs insects for pollination. Thrips have been found to be consistent and regular pollinators. They visit only yellow flowers and avoid flowers of other colours. Colour change is triggered by pollination and functions in the partitioning of the pollinator and consequently helps in conserving pollinator energy. Whereas butterflies visit lantana in two seasons, thrips are associated with it all through the year and play an important role in seed production. By adapting to thrips pollinationLantana has become highly widespread.
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Mohan Ram, H.Y., Mathur, G. Flower-insect interaction in pollination. Proc Ani Sci 93, 359–363 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03186255
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03186255