Sexy Australian orchids do more than embarrass wasps, study finds ...Read the full article
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Doreen Dixon from Canada writes: So Georgia O'Keefe wasn't so weird after all!
- Posted 08/05/08 at 3:02 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Walker fromtheevilempireofAB from Calgary, Canada writes: Ok, my question is, how did the flower figure out what shape to develop in order to confuse the wasps if the flowers have no sense of perception?
Preferential reproduction for flowers with succesful traits is understandable, but it's amazing that a flower could develop this ability. Blows my mind.
Guess that's why I'm a geologist and not a biologist.....- Posted 08/05/08 at 3:04 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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John Kaszuba from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: I think that happened to me back in the '60's ...
- Posted 08/05/08 at 3:36 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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K McIntyre from Oshawa, Canada writes: Walker: The answer to your question is simply natural selection. Flowers will reproduce more effectively if they can attract insects to pollinate them. Most likely these orchids happened on a mutation that created sexual attraction for these wasps, and this was very beneficial indeed for their survival. This female-wasp appearance means they don't have to produce nectar to attract pollinators, making the plants far more efficient.
- Posted 09/05/08 at 4:02 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Dick Garneau from Canada writes: I just came back from a visit to Florida where I only saw one bee in a week, they say it's because they spray so much, but orchids sell for $5.00 where as in Alberta we have lots of bees and orchids sell for $20.00. I guess the bees can't get into the greenhouses. :)
- Posted 09/05/08 at 9:41 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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see see writer from Canada writes: Interesting. When orchids do this it is called "deception" but when human hookers do it we call it "servicing the Johns." Maybe the male wasps aren't deceived but just like getting serviced with no hassle, and don't give a fig whether any progeny result.
Or alternatively, should we consider what hookers do to be "deception"? They skillfully dress and act to stimulate the 'triggers' in their prospective customers. Only add in the different-species factor. Hmm -- I think I read a science fiction story like that once . . .
I know, I know, all you hard-nosed evolutionists -- you'd say the wasps are bound to the cascading logic of DNA and MUST choose the reproductive way if they can. Only why cannot selfish pleasure derail wasply reproduction, just as much as 'deception' can? Answer me that. "Deception" is one big unjustified assumption.
Sometimes I think conservative science smells just like some kind of priesthood, and WAY too condescending toward nature -- and laypeople.- Posted 10/05/08 at 12:35 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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