The Need of Co-evolution for Sexual Mimicing , Pseudocopulating flowering plants (Angiosperms)

In evolutionary biology, mimicry in plants is where a plant organism evolves to resemble another organism physically or chemically, increasing the mimic's Darwinian fitness. It may provide protection against herbivory, or may deceptively encourage mutualists, like pollinators, to provide a service without offering a reward in return (Deception/Cheating).

 Pseudocopulation is a Type of Sexual Mimicry which describes behaviors similar to copulation that serve a reproductive function for one or both participants but do not involve actual sexual union between the individuals (Pseudo meaning false). Pseudocopulation in insect is the action of a male insect, such as a bee, wasp, or fly that tries to mate with a flower whose parts (Sepals, petals, calyx etc.) which resembles those of a female insect of the same species. It's a method of pollination developed by nature for the spread of those flower pollens. Masses of pollen becomes attached to the male insect in the process of pseudo-mating and are transferred to the next flower visited by it, thus completing the pollination.

In plants employing sexual mimicry, flowers mimic mating signals of their pollinator insects. These insects are attracted and pollinate the flowers through pseudocopulations or other sexual behaviors performed on the flower. Orchids commonly achieve reproduction in this manner, secreting chemicals from glands (osmophores) in the sepals, petals, or labellum, that are indistinguishable from the insect's natural pheromones. The pollinator then has a pollinium attached to its body, which it transfers to the stigma of another flower when it attempts another 'copulation'. Pollinators are often bees, and wasps of the order Hymenoptera, and flies.

Pictures of Pseudo-Copulation

The cost to the pollinating insects might be seen as negligible but they may waste large amounts of sperm by ejaculating onto the flower. Thus there could be antagonistic coevolution such that pollinators become better at identifying their own species correctly and orchids become better mimics. 

Key Point: "This Co-evolution is extremely important for the survival of both the species. If The insect Evolves (eg. appearance, colour get changed) so must the Flower Co- Evolve (Change accordingly) with it for the successful pollination and survival of it's own species. Suppose if the Flower fails to Co-evolve  with the insect, then the flowers species will vanish or become extinct from the earth. Or if the insect doesn't learn "new techniques "to avoid pseudocopulation, it's species will reduce to zero eventually. Thus both must learn new tricks (Co-Evolve) simultaneously for survival." ~ quote by Sahidul (the author of the article).

Authored By: Sahidul Islam

(Image credits: Google image)