The orchid mantis is a strange
thing.
We’ve all read how orchids mimic
creatures to secure pollination. The orchid mantis resembles a flower in order
to lure its prey … and is more effective at attracting insects than an actual
flower, researchers have found.
Botanically, orchids use scent
and bright colours to attract insects. It has long been assumed that the orchid
mantis mimics flowers in order to lure these same insects.
Australian researchers
investigating this theory were stunned to discover that the species is around
30 per cent more effective at attracting pollinators than the real thing, says a report.
They measured the hourly rate at
which the pollinators flew up to the mantis and compared that to real flowers,
according to Dr James O’Hanlon, an ecologist at Macquarie
University in Sydney.
The Malaysian orchid mantis
(Hymenopus coronatus) is apparently the only known animal to mimic a plant, however
there is still very little known about the species.
The team of scientists is now
intrigued. How the insects are viewing them? Do they respond to the shape or
colour? Do they think it’s a flower, or something unique and attractive?”
By Pamela Kelt
Picture: the orchid mantis
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