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Biotic Resource Needs of Specialist Orchid Pollinators

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Abstract

Orchid pollinators have highly varied life histories with complex biotic resource requirements, about which we have limited knowledge. Among the specialist orchid pollinators are insect predators and parasitoids with specific prey types such as aphids and subterranean scarab larvae; oligolectic bees that collect pollen from limited sources such as bellflowers; euglossine bees and butterflies that collect particular plant chemicals for reproduction and self defense; oil-collecting bees that provision their brood cells with floral oils from a few plants; bees that collect rare floral resins to construct their nest and brood cells; moths and butterflies that require specific larval host plants; mosquitos and horse flies that need blood; and fungus gnats and carrion flies tied to fungi and dead animals. Loss of critical biotic resources and relationships can reduce the abundance of orchid pollinators and/or their effectiveness. Protection of large, plant rich, pesticide-free orchid habitats is key to conserving essential pollinator resources.

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Acknowledgements

Yi-bo Luo and Hong Liu invited me to present a talk on resource needs of orchid pollinators at the 1st Guangxi International Orchid Conservation Symposium in Guangxi Province, China in May 2009, which was the genesis of this paper. Phillip Seaton provided valuable discussion. Amots Dafni, Mark Whitten, and Hong Liu provided helpful reviews of the manuscript. Rachel Taylor provided technical editorial assistance.

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  1. Center for Tropical Plant Conservation, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, c/o 2121 SW 28th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, USA

    Robert W. Pemberton

  2. Florida Museum of National History, c/o 2121 SW 28th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, USA

    Robert W. Pemberton

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Correspondence to Robert W. Pemberton.

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Pemberton, R.W. Biotic Resource Needs of Specialist Orchid Pollinators. Bot. Rev. 76, 275–292 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-010-9047-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-010-9047-7

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