This week we shall continue the theme of aggressive mimicry and look at a rather interesting case. Whilst most animals employ aggressive mimicry by mimicking another animal the orchid mantis does so by mimicking the orchid flower. This is reported to be the only such case recorded so far. Found in Malaysia the Orchid Mantis uses flowers as a base from which to ambush mainly hymenopteran prey. Research into the orchid mantis (O'Hanlon, Holwell, Herberstein 2014) has shown that pollinators actually visit flowers where a mantis is positioned 30% more than flowers without mantis. The reason for this is still unknown. The researchers also discovered that mantis' sitting away form the flowers are able to attract pollinators at higher rates than the flowers themselves.
© Thomas Marent
References:
O'Hanlan, J C, Holwell, G I, Herberstein M E 2014, 'Pollinator Deception in the Orchid Mantis',
The American Naturalist, vol. 183, no. 1, pp. 126-132.
Marent T "n.d", 'Mantis on Flower', Photograph, National Geographic, viewed 6 April 2014, <http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/files/2013/08/orchid-mantis.png>.
The mimicry of orchid mantids is quite astounding! This is a particular attractive image. Although it is not yet known why pollinators visit mantid flowers more often, could you suggest a hypothetical reason for this? I have some ideas but I am interested in what you think! How many different species of orchid mantis are there? Nice post.
ReplyDeleteHi Tasmin,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that due to the fact that many hymenoptera view u.v. spectrum that the orchid mantis may have some marking on its body which attract prey, it may also possibly release pheromones to attract prey- this is just speculation of course! Currently there are only 2 species in the Hymenopus genus (Orchid mantis')!
You mention that it is the only case found so far. What exactly do you mean by this? Is it the only insect that mimics the orchard flower?
ReplyDeleteHi Lola,
DeleteApologies for not making it more clear- what is meant is that this is possibly the first case of aggressive mimicry by an organism that is mimicking a flower. Other animals may camouflage into a flower but the mantis is able to sit away from flowers and mimic an entire flower itself.