Interaction between Cymbidium aloifolium and Apis cerana: Incidence of an outlier in modular pollination network of oil flowers

So far, oil-rewarding flowers are known to be pollinated only by oil-collecting bees, which gather and use lipids for larval feed and nest building. As honeybees do not have oil-collecting appendages on their legs, they have not been associated with pollination of such flowers. In a predominantly Apis pollinated and food deceptive clade of wild Cymbidiums, we investigated the reproductive strategy of Cymbidium aloifolium, hitherto unknown for its floral oil reward. Our study demonstrates the requisites for establishment of mutualistic interaction between the oil flower and Apis cerana indica, a corbiculate bee. Success in pollination requires learning by honeybees to access the food reward, thereby displaying cognitive ability of the pollinator to access the customized reward. Morphometric matching between orchid flowers and the pollinator, and that between pollinia and stigmatic cavity also appear to be essential in the pollination success. Absence of pollinator competition and prolonged flower-handling time are suggested to promote floral constancy. The present study highlights the need to explore the spectrum of pollination rewards pursued by honeybees, which may include unconventional composition of floral resources.

Automated summary

This study explores the reproductive strategy of oil-rewarding flowers and the mutualistic interaction between corbiculate bees and Cymbidium aloifolium. Successful pollination requires honeybees to learn how to access the reward, displaying their cognitive ability. Morphometric matching and absence of competition are important factors for pollination success. This study highlights the importance of exploring the spectrum of pollination rewards pursued by honeybees.