Huge numbers of insects busily bothering with a flower meadow, in a garden or among a blooming orchard are a beautiful sight. This image, often referred to in picturesque, idyllic descriptions of nature, has a deeper meaning. The development of flowering plants, of which so many species please us with their sight and smell, is the result of a specific cooperation with insects, developed through evolution. Various plants, e.g. pollinated by pollen-borne winds, have perfected their strategy in other directions. Of those that have specialized to benefit from animal favor, the vast majority are insect polymers. It is precisely insects characterized by high activity and mobility that are perfect for the function of flower pollinators.Both flowers and insects have produced many adaptive traits so that both sides could benefit as much as possible from this collaboration. In such a situation, when a given species of insect visits a specific species of flower, not only by chance, we can talk about a real symbiosis between these organisms.
From flower to flower
Knowing the purpose of a plant that aims to benefit from pollination with foreign pollen brought by an insect, you can ask yourself what kind of this favor will go to the insect. The payment for the effort for the pollen carrier is the pollen and the nectar produced by the plant. Luring a potential helper from a distance requires that the flower be attractive and alluring to him. In the first phase, it concerns its appearance, mainly colors. Although the perception of color by insects differs from that by humans, the color of the flower is of crucial importance and should stand out clearly from the green parts of the plant. It is only at a closer distance that scent stimuli affect insects, which may be attractive to them, even when they are almost stinking to us, e.g.the stench of rotten meat. When these factors work, the insect sits on the flower and only then can it count on the real benefits of nectar and nutritious pollen. However, he must show the qualities that will allow him to obtain this food, so it is important that the correct insect goes to the flower, for which it will not be a problem. Flower pollen - useful only for those insects with mouth-gnawing organs - finds many amateurs because it contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. Flower nectar, which is an aqueous solution of sugars, is a tasty and nutritious meal for an insect. However, the honey pots in which it is produced may be hidden deep in the flowers and then they are accessible to insects with mouth organs shaped in the form of long suction cups. The life of an insect that can eat products produced by flowers seems simple and pleasant, but often requires a lot of effort. The insect moves from flower to flower, and with it the pollen, which is most often dusted.The circadian rhythm they are subject to is not without significance in the coexistence of flowers and insects. Insects have a nocturnal or daytime lifestyle, while flowers, depending on the species, open only at a certain time of the day or night. The amount of nectar produced also varies depending on the time of day. Thus, insects that search for food in flowers can only eat it at certain times.
Useful insectsFlower visiting insects can be found among representatives of most orders of these animals, however, the most important species include the Coleoptera beetles, Diptera flies, Lepidoptera butterflies and Hymenoptera wasps. They show varying degrees of specialization which enables them to reap the benefits of flower products. The most important group of flower pollinating insects in our climate are the social wasps. The most complicated adaptations occur precisely in them, as exemplified by the honey bee and bumblebees. They visit flowers not only to feed themselves, but collect pollen and nectar to feed the larvae.In the structure of the body of these insects, adaptations are observed that facilitate the collection of flower food. The effectiveness of social wasps as pollinators is enormous. The aspect of their economic importance is incomparably greater than the benefits that people gain in the form of honey or wax. The existence of many plant species to a large extent depends on insects, and for humans, their activity translates into high yields obtained thanks to the pollination of a huge number of flowers of fruit plants and agricultural crops. A threat to pollinators today is the widespread use of insecticides. Although when using these measures there are strictly defined prevention periods for bees, poisoning and death of even entire swarms happen very often.
