Entomophily

Closeup of a bee pollinating a flower

Soldier beetle covered with pollen

Entomophily is a form of pollination whereby pollen or spores are distributed by insects. Several insects are reported to be responsible for the pollination (potential or effective) of many plant species, particularly bees, Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), wasps, flies, ants and beetles. Some plant species co-evolved with a particular pollinator, such as many orchids species. On the other hand, there are plant species which are generalists, being visited and/or pollinated by several insect groups.^[1] Entomophilous species frequently evolve mechanisms to make themselves more appealing to insects, e.g., brightly colored or scented flowers, nectar, or appealing shapes and patterns. Pollen grains of entomophilous plants are generally larger than the fine pollens of anemophilous (wind-pollinated) plants. They usually are of more nutritional value to insects, which may use them for food and inadvertently spread them to other flowers.

The word is artificially derived from the Greek: entomo-/εντομο- ^[2] "that which is cut in pieces or engraved/segmented", hence "insect"; and phily from φίλη, "that which is loved".

Entomophilous species include the sunflower, orchids and cycads. The only entomophilous plants that are not seed plants are the dung-mosses of the family Splachnaceae.^[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pollination.