Tag: pollination, fertilization and development of endosperm and embryo

The Yucca moth is also termed as the Pronuba moth. It is a small white moth that lives in the semi-arid habitats where Yucca plants grow. The Yucca moth is well-known for its relationship with the Yucca plant. The Yucca moth’s larvae are relying on the seeds of the Yucca plant as a primary food source. No one can exist without the other, creating an obligate mutualism between the moth and the plant. It is true for types of Yucca moths such as Tegeticula .

 So correct answer is option B.

In Salvia, pollination occurs through the agency of insects. When insects are the pollinating agents, then pollination is known as entomophily. These are the most common biotic agents of pollination. Bees are the most common insect which acts as pollinating agents. Other insect pollinators are butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, moths. Majority of insect-pollinated flowers are large-sized. Small-sized flowers are clustered into an inflorescence. Flowers are colourful and fragrant. Nectaries are present. The pollen grain is sticky.

Pollination is processed by the agent which transfers pollen from the pollen sac or anther to the stigma or ovule in the flower. Pollination done by snails is called malacophily. Such type of flowers is called as malacophilous. These flowers achieve pollination only by the help of snails and slugs.

Thus, the correct answer is malacophily.

Correct option is B.

Fragrant flowers with well-developed nectaries are an adaptation for entomophily. In entomophily, insects are the pollinating agents. These are the most common biotic agents of pollination. Bees are the most common insect which acts as pollinating agents. Other insect pollinators are butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, moths. Majority of insect-pollinated flowers are large-sized. These flowers are colorful and possess fragrance to attract the insects. Nectar is given as a reward to insects. Thus, option C is correct.

The process of transfer of pollen grains from the anther to stigmatic surface of the flower with the help of water is hydrophily. Pollination by water is quite rare in flowering plants and is limited to about 30 genera, mostly monocots, e.g. freshwater plants like Vallisneria, Hydrilla; marine water plants like Zostera. Light unwettable pollen grains are present in these plants. Pollen grains are surrounded by mucilaginous covering, hence protected from wetting. Stigma is long, sticky and unwettable.