Question

An orchid resembling with the female of an insect, so as to able to get pollinated is due to
the phenomenon of
A. Mimicry
B. Pseudocopulation
C. Pseudo Parthenocarpy
D. Both A and B

Answer 1

The labellum of orchid matches with the female thynnid wasp in its shape, colour, and odour. Insect pollination containing sexual attraction is common in orchids but the interaction among the male wasp and orchid is unique in that it comprises the insect struggling to fly away along with the part of the flower.

Complete answer:
A bloom same as an orchid mimics a female wasp, enticing males searching for a mate to fertilize is known as Mimicry. In mimicry, the mimics make themselves protected by camouflage (means by changing their colour to fit the background). If both participants do not get included in a real sexual mating but they act like copulation, then this copulation is known as Pseudocopulation. In this procedure, the flower matches the female insect, and the male attempts to mate. So copulation does not occur but the pollen is transmitted during this process. Hence the process of pollination occurs. Pseudo Parthenocarpy is defined as the type of parthenogenesis in which the male gamete is needed to initiate the growth of the egg but fertilization does not happen.
So, the right answer is option D i.e. Both A and B.

Note: Mimicry that occurs in orchid plants is referred to as Pouyannian mimicry. These insects are very distinct. Female thynnid wasps are flightless and intercourse occurs only when the male carries a female away from the source of food. There are about 10 species of orchids and each species is pollinated by specific species of thynnid wasp.