Pollination of Diuris maculata R Br (Orchidaceae) by Floral Mimicry of the Native Legumes Daviesia spp and Pultenaea scabra R Br

Abstract

Several species of insects captured while feeding on flowers of the legumes Daviesia virgata and D. mimosoides carried pollinia of the orchid Diuris maculata on their heads. In contrast, insects were difficult to capture on Diuris maculata due to the very low frequency and short duration of visits. More pollinaria were removed from the flowers than pollinia deposited. Pollen loads carried by insects bearing orchid pollinia were almost exclusively from Daviesia spp. and Pultenaea scabra. These data, together with the morphological similarity of the flowers of D. maculata to those of Daviesia spp. and Pultenaea scabra, indicate that the orchid attracts pollinators by floral mimicry.