The volatile chemistry of orchid pollination

Abstract

Orchids are amongst the most diverse of all plant families, and produce a wide array of volatile compounds for pollinator attraction.

Critical Pollination Chemistry: Specific Sesquiterpene Floral Volatiles in Carrot Inhibit Honey Bee Feeding

“…In this study, we used a comprehensive approach applying methods from chemical ecology and pollination biology to identify specific traits affecting honey bee attraction to parental accessions and OP carrot flowers. Considering the need for cross-pollination, only traits present in both male sterile and fertile parent accessions, such as nectar and floral volatiles (but not pollen), were targeted .…”

Chemistry, biosynthesis and biology of floral volatiles: roles in pollination and other functions

“…Natural Product Reports in attracting pollinators were considered in a recent review. 18 First, we will summarize recent studies on beetle attractants, then focus on moths and butteries, ies, bees and wasps, and nally some groups of ower visitors with only small numbers of species known to interact with owers.…”

“…356 8 Chirality in flower scents and its importance for interspecific interactions Many oral scent components are optically active and it is known that chirality is of relevance in ower-animal interactions. 5,[357][358][359] However, despite this knowledge there are very few recent studies that determined the absolute conguration of compounds from oral scents and tested single enantiomers or reconstructed enantiomeric ratios on ower visitors in physiological and/or behavioral experiments (see also Perkins et al 18 ).…”

“…1–5, and the biological roles in pollination of several of these compounds are discussed later in the chapter. Compounds isolated from orchids are also covered by Perkins et al , 18 but are included here for completeness.…”

“…This review summarizes advances in floral scent research since 2010 from chemical, molecular and ecological perspectives, excluding recent findings on the olfactory communication between orchids and their pollinators, given that this topic is considered by a recent review. 18 It will also indicate current research gaps, such as the very limited knowledge of the occurrence and ratio of stereoisomers of chiral compounds and its importance in interspecific interactions.…”