HAWKMOTH BEHAVIOUR AND FLOWER ADAPTATION REDUCING SELF POLLINATION IN TWO LILIIFLORAE

Abstract

In experiments with models and a Petunia cultivar a hawkmoth makes its initial approach at about the same level as the flower. In Lilium martagon L., after flower opening, the style curves towards the direction of maximum light intensity. A hawkmoth comes into contact with the stigma at the beginning of its visit. Thereafter, while drinking from the individual nectaries on each petal, the visitor picks up pollen from the anther in front of the petals. During the initial approach to Crinum jagns (Thomp.). Dandy flowers a hawkmoth touches only the stigma, which is in front of the anthers. Anthers contact the visitor's body only during drinking. Then the moth leaves the flower by flying upwards and does not touch the stigma again. Thus there is evidence that in two Lilüflorae, the combination of the moth‐behaviour with the flower structure might reduce self‐pollination. Copyright © 1980, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved