The secret pollinators: an overview of moth pollination with a focus on Europe and North America

Hahn, Melanie; Brühl, Carsten A.

doi:10.1007/s11829-016-9414-3

Cited by 88 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, as studies on networks of plants and their nocturnal pollen vectors are rare, the role of moths as pollinators is most likely underestimated (Hahn & Brühl 2016). More specifically, moths are known to be the primary pollinators of orchids from the Orchidoideae subfamily (Catling & Catling 1991, Hahn & Brühl 2016. This is also the case for certain orchids of the Platanthera genus, such as the threatened LANKESTERIANA P. praeclara native to the North American prairie, which are highly specialized for pollination by moths (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Noctuid moths as potential hybridization agents for Platanthera orchids

2017

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abstract. Zoophilous flowering plants communicate with pollinators to ensure pollen transfer. Pin-pointing which species are effective pollinators is not only essential to better understand plant-pollinator networks, but equally so to better understand the potential of hybridization in plant systems, such as in orchids. As a case study, we studied two sympatric populations of the congeneric orchids Platanthera bifolia and P. chlorantha in order to assess their nocturnal pollinators by checking which moth species carried pollinaria, and of which orchid species. Moths carrying Platanthera pollinaria were photographed and identified. The carried pollinaria were identified and counted, and their attachment position on the moth's head was scored. Based on these observations we show that three species of noctuid moths visited the Platanthera inflorescences. Although Noctua pronuba visited P. chlorantha, only Cucullia umbratica and Autographa gamma turned out to be potential pollinators for both orchid species. As such, we here demonstrate that the latter two noctuids have high potential to facilitate hybridization among these two orchid species, especially so in sympatric populations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noctuid moths as potential hybridization agents for Platanthera orchids

2017

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“…The vast majority of the studies on plant-pollinator interactions are based on daytime observations (Benning, 2015;Macgregor et al, 2015;Hahn & Brühl, 2016). However, nocturnal moths are frequently observed visiting various types of fl owers (Ikenoue & Kanai, 2010;Atwater, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, nocturnal moths are frequently observed visiting various types of fl owers (Ikenoue & Kanai, 2010;Atwater, 2013). Thus, the roles of nocturnal moths as important pollinators are underestimated (Devoto et al, 2011;Atwater, 2013;Macgregor et al, 2015;Hahn & Brühl, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Settling moths as potential pollinators of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Rubiaceae)

Funamoto¹,

Sugiura²

2016

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. Nocturnal pollinators such as moths have received less attention than diurnal insects. To elucidate whether nocturnal moths are important pollinators, we observed both the diurnal and nocturnal visitors to the fl owers of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Rubiaceae) in a warm-temperate forest in central Japan. The diurnal visitors included various taxonomic groups (e.g., bees, hoverfl ies and butterfl ies). The nocturnal visitors were exclusively moths (Geometridae, Erebidae, Noctuidae and Crambidae). Pollen grains of U. rhynchophylla were attached to both diurnal and nocturnal visitors. Although diurnal fl ower visitors carried pollen grains of other plant species, nocturnal moths did not carry heterospecifi c pollen grains. These results suggest that nocturnal moths, as well as diurnal insects, are important pollinators of U. rhynchophylla.

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We know very little about pollination in the Platanthera Rich (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae)

Janes,

van der Voort,

Huber

2024

Ecology and Evolution

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The Platanthera Rich. (Orchidoideae) comprise a speciose genus of orchids primarily in the northern hemisphere, with up to 200 known species worldwide. Individual species are known to self‐pollinate, but many rely on insect pollinators with characteristics such as floral color, timing of floral odor emissions, nectar rewards, and spur length associated with particular pollination syndromes. As with many orchids, some orchid–pollinator associations are likely highly co‐evolved, but we also know that some Platanthera spp. are the result of hybridization events, which implies a lack of pollinator fidelity in some cases. Some Platanthera spp. occur in large numbers which, coupled with the numerous Platanthera–pollinator systems, make them accessible as study species and useful for co‐evolutionary studies. Due to the likely effects of climate change and ongoing development on Platanthera spp. habitats, these orchids and their associated pollinators should be a focus of conservation attention and management. However, while there is a fairly substantial literature coverage of Platanthera–pollinator occurrence and interactions, there are still wide gaps in our understanding of the species involved in these systems. In this systematic review, we outline what is current knowledge and provide guidance on further research that will increase our understanding of orchid–insect co‐evolutionary relationships. Our review covers 157 orchid species and about 233 pollinator species interacting with 30 Platanthera spp. We provide analyses on aspects of these interactions such as flower morphology, known insect partners of Platanthera species, insect‐Platanthera specificity, pollination visitor timing (diurnal vs. nocturnal), floral rewards, and insect behavior affecting pollination outcomes (e.g., pollinia placement). A substantial number of Platanthera spp. and at least a few of their known pollinators are of official (IUCN) conservation concern – and many of their pollinators remain unassessed or even currently unknown – which adds to the urgency of further research on these co‐evolved relationships.

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The secret pollinators: an overview of moth pollination with a focus on Europe and North America

Cited by 88 publications

References 68 publications

Noctuid moths as potential hybridization agents for Platanthera orchids

Noctuid moths as potential hybridization agents for Platanthera orchids

Settling moths as potential pollinators of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Rubiaceae)

We know very little about pollination in the Platanthera Rich (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae)

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