Question

Pollination by insects is called
a. Entomophily
b. Chiropterophily
c. Anemophily
d. Zoophily

Answer 1

Insects are the most usual biotic agents of pollination. Specially bees are the most known insect which acts as pollinating agents. Other insects such as butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, and moths are pollinators. Majority of insect-pollinated flowers are found in large-sized. Entomophily occurs in Calotropis, Ficus, Salvia, etc.

Complete answer:

Option A - Pollination by insects is known as entomophily. Insect-pollinating flowers are made attractive to insects in different ways along with the flowers pollens are sticky with a rough surface so that they may quickly and smoothly stick to insect limbs. The stigma also is similarly sticky to be able to receive the pollen more.

Option B - Chiropterophily is pollination of flowers by bats. Bat pollination is most common in tropical as well as desert areas that have many night-blooming flowers and plants. Just like bees and birds that pollinate, nectar-consuming bats have evolved methods to find along with harvesting the sweet liquid.

Option C - Anemophilous or wind-pollinated plants are inconspicuous as well as they are not showy. They are also devoid of scent, nectar, etc.

Option D - Zoophily is a form of pollination whereby pollen is transferred by animals, normally this is done by invertebrates but in some cases vertebrates, particularly birds along with bats, but also by other animals.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Flowers pollinated by insects typically pose themselves with bright colours, sometimes with conspicuous patterns known as honeyguides which helps to lead to rewards of pollen as well as nectar. The flowers may also have an attractive scent which in some cases mimics insect pheromones.