CLOSED: Beetles that pollinate

San Andres, Peten, Guatemala

Many epiphytes and other plants that live in the jungle have "Flowers" that do not attract butterflies etc to pollinate them. The reproductive devices are sometimes called naked flowers. They rely on beetles. I caught a flower on one of my vines Syngonium podophyllum (arrowhead vine) when the spathe had just opened revealing the "Pistil" and the beetles had started work. Somewhere during my research I had come across the name of the beetle but now cannot find the reference. Anybody have any ideas.


Thumbnail by johnpeten
Sinks Grove, WV

These appear to be true bugs (Hemiptera/Heteroptera) rather than beetles, and more likely are feeding on the plant. There is a reference to scarab beetles (Erioscelis columbica) possibly being pollinators of anther species in this genus - see http://www.aroid.org/pollination/beath/index.php The same citation mentions bugs (black mirids) feeding on the upper part of the spathe.

West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b)

More from a different page from the same site:

"...reports that S. triphyllum is pollinated by the genus Cyclocephala (Dynastiniae) in Costa Rica."

http://www.aroid.org/genera/syngonium/pollination.php


On a related note, I was reading recently that bees can't pollinate Magnolias, and that Magnolias are older than bees themselves, and were also pollinated by beetles.

San Andres, Peten, Guatemala

That was fascinating reading. The plant runs a tight schedule for getting it's flowers pollinated.
As you suggested the bugs seen in the photograph are one of the miridae only here for a free meal.
One of the Scarab species arrives after dark to carry out the serious sexual activities.
I would have to use ladders and rig up lights to watch the high jinks after dusk so I will leave them in peace.
Very many thanks for the info. I will take pictures in the morning to see the changes.

Thumbnail by johnpeten

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